Relationship between Community or Home Gardening and Health of the Elderly: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Survey in Japan

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Daisuke Machida¹ 

[1] Department of Health and Nutrition, Takasaki University of Health and Welfare, Takasaki, Gunma 370-0033, Japan;

关键词: gardening;    community garden;    home garden;    health;    lifestyle;    subjective happiness;    physical activity;    vegetable intake;    social cohesion;    Japan;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph16081389

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

There have been many reports indicating the relationship between gardening and health or healthy lifestyles among adults in developed countries all over the world. However, Japanese evidence is lacking. The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between community or home gardening and health status or a healthy lifestyle using a web-based survey with Japanese elderly living in the community. A survey was conducted to gather data from 500 gardeners and 500 nongardeners aged 60 to 69. As a result, significant relationships were shown between community gardening and exercise habits, physical activity, eating vegetables, and connections with neighbors. Moreover, the significant relationships between home gardening and the following items were indicated: Subjective happiness, exercise habits, physical activity, sitting time, eating breakfast, eating vegetables, eating balanced meals, and connections with neighbors. No item demonstrated a significant relationship with gardening frequency. A significant relationship was demonstrated between gardening duration and health problems affecting everyday life. Further significant relationships were shown between gardening with others and subjective happiness, having a reason for living. In conclusion, promising positive relationships between community or home gardening and health or healthy lifestyles were indicated.

【 授权许可】

Unknown