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Physical and Mental Health Impacts of Household Gardens in an Urban Slum in Lima, Peru

Author

Listed:
  • Abigail Korn

    (School of Public Health, University of Washington, Box 352100, Seattle, WA 98195, USA)

  • Susan M. Bolton

    (School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Box 352100, Seattle, WA 98195, USA)

  • Benjamin Spencer

    (Department of Landscape Architecture, University of Washington, Box 355734, Seattle, WA 98195, USA)

  • Jorge A. Alarcon

    (TRACTION, Parque Leon Garcia 177, Pueblo Libre 15084, Lima, Peru)

  • Leann Andrews

    (College of Built Environment, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA)

  • Joachim G. Voss

    (Sarah Cole Hirsh Institute for Evidence-Based Practice, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, 2120 Cornell Road, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA)

Abstract

Rural poverty and lack of access to education has led to urban migration and fed the constant growth of urban slums in Lima, Peru. Inhabitants of these informal settlements lack land rights and access to a public water supply, resulting in poor sanitation, an inability to grow food, and suboptimal health outcomes. A repeated measures longitudinal pilot study utilizing participatory design methods was conducted in Lima between September 2013 and September 2014 to determine the feasibility of implementing household gardens and the subsequent impact of increased green space on well-being. Anthropometric data and a composite of five validated mental health surveys were collected at the baseline, 6-months, and 12-months after garden construction. Significant increases from the baseline in all domains of quality of life, including: physical ( p < 0.01), psychological ( p = 0.05), social ( p = 0.02), environmental ( p = 0.02), and overall social capital ( p < 0.01) were identified 12 months after garden construction. Life-threatening experiences decreased significantly compared to the baseline ( p = 0.02). There were no significant changes in parent or partner empathy ( p = 0.21), BMI ( p = 0.95), waist circumference ( p = 0.18), or blood pressure ( p = 0.66) at 6 or 12 months. Improved access to green space in the form of a household garden can significantly improve mental health in an urban slum setting.

Suggested Citation

  • Abigail Korn & Susan M. Bolton & Benjamin Spencer & Jorge A. Alarcon & Leann Andrews & Joachim G. Voss, 2018. "Physical and Mental Health Impacts of Household Gardens in an Urban Slum in Lima, Peru," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-11, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:8:p:1751-:d:163856
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Amrita Daniere & Lois M. Takahashi & Anchana Naranong, 2002. "Social Capital, Networks, and Community Environments in Bangkok, Thailand," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(4), pages 453-484, September.
    2. Zick, C.D. & Smith, K.R. & Kowaleski-Jones, L. & Uno, C. & Merrill, B.J., 2013. "Harvesting more than vegetables: The potential weight control benefits of community gardening," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(6), pages 1110-1115.
    3. Zezza, Alberto & Tasciotti, Luca, 2010. "Urban agriculture, poverty, and food security: Empirical evidence from a sample of developing countries," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(4), pages 265-273, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. John Friesen & Victoria Friesen & Ingo Dietrich & Peter F. Pelz, 2020. "Slums, Space, and State of Health—A Link between Settlement Morphology and Health Data," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-28, March.

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