Impact of a master gardener program on health outcomes among middle-aged and older adults: A pilot study

Background. Gardening activities have been identified as a way to improve energy balance, physical health, and mental health. Since 1998, the Tennessee Master Gardener program has trained more than 400 local community members to help their peers solve home gardening problems. Nevertheless, there are few studies testing the effectiveness of Master Gardener programs to improve body mass index (BMI), perceived status, gardening self-efficacy among middle-aged or older adults.

Methods. A survey was administered to identify factors associated with BMI among Master Gardener Program participants (n=63). Covariates included three types of gardening-related self-efficacy, unhealthy days (physically or mentally), PHQ2 depression, and sociodemographics. Robust ordinary least squares regression models were used to identify correlates of higher BMI.

Results. Approximately 30% of respondents were obese, and another 24% were overweight. One quarter of participants had PHQ2 depression scores equal to or greater than 2 (representing a high chance of having a depressive disorder). Higher gardening self-efficacy (Coef=0.33, P=0.012) and PHQ2 depression equal to or greater than 2 (Coef=3.32, P=0.009) was associated with higher BMI scores; whereas having very good (Coef=-6.15, P<0.001) and excellent (Coef=-9.55, P<0.001) perceived health was associated with lower BMI scores.

Conclusion. These findings suggest that enrolling in the local gardening programs may help middle-aged and older adults with higher BMI improve their health and well-being.