Characterizing Urban Home Gardening and Associated Factors to Shape Fruit and Vegetable Consumption among Non-Farmers in Thailand

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between home gardening and sufficient fruit and vegetable (FV) intake among non-farmers in Thailand, and examine the influence of socio-demographic characteristics and other associated factors on home gardening among non-farmers in urban areas. Data were collected by a cross-sectional survey of a sample of Thai non-farmers (N = 5634). Information on self-reported home gardening, FV intake, health-related behaviors, and socio-demographic characteristics was collected via questionnaire. The findings show that home gardening is significantly associated with sufficient FV intake among non-farmers (p < 0.001). Within the non-farmer group who lived in urban areas, 9% gardened FV at home. Home gardening was significantly associated with socio-demographic characteristics (sex, age and occupation), physical activity, fear of pesticide contamination of FV, and FV safety awareness among the urban non-farmers. Respondents who were female, in the middle-adulthood group, practiced regular physical activity, feared pesticide contamination, and had high awareness of FV safety had the highest probability of gardening at home (p < 0.05, p < 0.001, p < 0.01, p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). The Thai government should pay more attention to factors that influence urban home gardening by providing support, building local capacity, and implementing effective interventions with the urban population.

Factors Correlated with Home Gardening in Gauteng Province, South Africa

“…Consistent with findings by Bongiwa and Obi (2015) and Phulkerd et al (2020), more female respondents in this study participated in home food gardens than males. Likewise, in a study that was conducted in Benin, more women were found to own food gardens, even at a younger age, compared to their male counterparts [23].…”

“…The findings of this study also show a significant positive correlation between home gardening and age, with respondents who were 65 years and older more likely to own home food gardens as compared to younger respondents (18-35 years). Several other authors have made similar observations [9,14,23]. Apart from the fact that more older people tend to be the main primary food providers, the literature also suggests that older people are likely to have more time and skills to spend on home gardening activities than the younger age groups [14].…”

“…Several other authors have made similar observations [9,14,23]. Apart from the fact that more older people tend to be the main primary food providers, the literature also suggests that older people are likely to have more time and skills to spend on home gardening activities than the younger age groups [14].…”

“…Meanwhile, a study conducted at national level by Statistics South Africa [ 12 ] reported that only 15.6% of households in South Africa participated in agricultural activities. Constraints to home gardening include land ownership [ 9 , 13 ], low socio-economic status, low educational status, access to advisory services [ 9 ], access to water [ 4 ], and female headed households [ 9 , 14 ].…”

The influence of co-residential and non-co-residential living arrangements on sufficient fruit and vegetable consumption in the aging population in Thailand

“…While living alone may increase risk of low FV consumption among older adults, living in a large household would, in turn, put older adults at risk of having less FV consumption. It is therefore important for central and local government to implement interventions to increase access to low-cost, high-quality FV through such approaches as self-help FV kitchen gardening (associated with increased FV intake) [ 37 ]. Moreover, more government programs are needed to educate families, especially in the larger households, about the health benefits of diversified diets.…”