Southwest Harvest for Health: An Adapted Mentored Vegetable Gardening Intervention for Cancer Survivors

Blair, Cindy K.; Adsul, Prajakta; Guest, Dolores D.; Sussman, Andrew L.; Cook, Linda S.; Harding, Elizabeth; Rodman, Joseph; Duff, Dorothy; Burgess, Ellen; Quezada, Karen; Brown-Glaberman, Ursa; King, Towela V.; Baca, Erika; Dayao, Zoneddy; Pankratz, V. Shane; Davis, Sally; Demark‐Wahnefried, Wendy

doi:10.3390/nu13072319

Cited by 12 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…In addition, ACES reduced the cost of Master Gardener credentialling by 25% and fundraising efforts through UAB have resulted in further scholarships to cancer survivors who have completed the program. As Harvest for Health initially began as a small pilot study, it is understandable that stakeholders may have considered the program transient; however, it has grown over time to a statewide initiative, and is currently being evaluated in the Southwest [ 25 , 26 ]. To facilitate further dissemination to other regions of the country, with the goal of eventually expanding nationwide, a long-term stable funding mechanism will need to be put in place.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainability capacity of a vegetable gardening intervention for cancer survivors

et al. 2022

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Background Health behavior interventions, especially those that promote improved diet and physical activity, are increasingly directed toward cancer survivors given their burgeoning numbers and high risk for comorbidity and functional decline. However, for health behavior interventions to achieve maximal public health impact, sustainability at both the individual and organizational levels is crucial. The current study aimed to assess the individual and organizational sustainability of the Harvest for Health mentored vegetable gardening intervention among cancer survivors. Methods Telephone surveys were conducted among 100 cancer survivors (mean age 63 years; primarily breast cancer) completing one-of-two Harvest for Health feasibility trials. Surveys ascertained whether participants continued gardening, and if so, whether they had expanded their gardens. Additionally, surveys were emailed to 23 stakeholders (Cooperative Extension county agents, cancer support group leaders, and healthcare representatives) who were asked to rate the intervention’s ability to generate sustained service and produce benefits over time using the eight-domain Program Sustainability Assessment Tool (PSAT). Results The survey among cancer survivors (91.9% response rate) indicated that 85.7% continued gardening throughout the 12 months following intervention completion; 47.3% expanded their gardens beyond the space of the original intervention. Moreover, 5.5% of cancer survivors enrolled in the certification program to become Extension Master Gardeners. The survey among stakeholders generated a similar response rate (i.e., 91.3%) and favorable scores. Of the possible maximum of 7 points on the PSAT, the gardening intervention’s “Overall Capacity for Sustainability” scored 5.7 (81.4% of the maximum score), with subscales for “Funding Stability” scoring the lowest though still favorably (5.0) and “Program Evaluation” scoring the highest (6.3). Conclusions Data support the sustainability capacity of the Harvest for Health vegetable gardening intervention for cancer survivors. Indeed, few interventions have proven as durable in terms of individual sustainability. Furthermore, Harvest for Health’s overall organizational score of 5.7 on the PSAT is considered strong when compared to a previous review of over 250 programs, where the mean overall organizational PSAT score was 4.84. Thus, solutions for long-term funding are currently being explored to support this strong, holistic program that is directed toward this vulnerable and growing population. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02150148

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainability capacity of a vegetable gardening intervention for cancer survivors

et al. 2022

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“…Studies have also reported better socialization and social cohesion associated with gardening, perhaps due to collectively maintaining a garden, sharing produce, and discussing optimal growing strategies [ 62 , 65 ]. Gardening activities, classified as low-to-moderate-intensity PA [ 68 , 69 , 70 ], are associated with higher PA levels [ 63 , 66 ] and may serve as a gateway to additional types of PA, such as yard work, walking, or joining a gym [ 18 , 21 ]. Additionally, gardening activities can involve both upper and lower body functions such as kneeling, bending, lifting, reaching, and the use of small gardening tools.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Findings suggest that tending a home-based vegetable garden can result in meaningful increases in vegetable intake, PA, and improvements in QOL [ 18 , 20 ], especially physical function. We adapted the intervention to suit the different climate and growing conditions in New Mexico [ 21 , 22 ]. The Southwest Harvest for Health feasibility study was launched in February 2020, concurrent with the emergence of COVID-19 in the United States.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Southwest Harvest for Health feasibility study was launched in February 2020, concurrent with the emergence of COVID-19 in the United States. Thirty participants completed the 9-month gardening intervention in late 2020 [ 21 ]. Noteworthy results include high recruitment, retention, and satisfaction rates, as well as an increased consumption of fruit and vegetable servings per day.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Association between Quality of Life and Physical Functioning in a Gardening Intervention for Cancer Survivors

et al. 2022

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Purpose: To examine potential factors associated with maintaining or improving self-reported physical function (PF) among older cancer survivors participating in a gardening intervention impacted by the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: Thirty cancer survivors completed a home-based gardening intervention to encourage a healthier diet and a more active lifestyle. Device-based measures of physical activity (PA) and surveys to evaluate quality of life (QOL; PROMIS-57 questionnaire) were administered at baseline, mid-intervention (6 months), and post-intervention (9 months). Results: Depression, fatigue, and sleeplessness at baseline were significantly associated with worse average PF scores across follow-up (2.3 to 4.9 points lower for every decrease of 5 points in the QOL score; p-values < 0.02). Worsening of these QOL domains during the intervention was also associated with an additional decrease of 2.1 to 2.9 points in PF over follow-up (p values < 0.01). Better social participation and PA at baseline were significantly associated with better average PF scores during the intervention (2.8 to 5.2 points higher for every 5-point increase in social participation or 30 min more of PA; p values < 0.05). Every 5-point increase in pain at baseline, or increases in pain during the intervention, was associated with decreases of 4.9 and 3.0 points, respectively, in PF. Conclusions: Worse QOL scores before and during the intervention were significantly associated with worse PF over follow-up. Encouraging social participation and PA through interventions such as home-based gardening may improve long-term health among older cancer survivors.

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“…Moreover, clinical decision support systems 75 and web-based lifestyle interventions 76,77 for cancer survivors are a promising treatment option due to being both affordable and accessible. Despite challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the home-based vegetable gardening program is feasible, wellreceived, and may result in increased V and F consumption among cancer survivors 78 .…”

Section: Novel Strategies For Management Of Cancer In the Covid-19 Eramentioning

confidence: 99%

Reopening the “CANCER MOONSHOT” in the United States: A great task in the COVID-19 era

2023

Preprint

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Cancer is currently a leading cause of mortality in the globe, particularly in the COVID-19 era, due to not enough and not in time care and treatment as well as limited coverage of COVID-19 vaccination. This article briefly discusses the reopening of the “CANCER MOONSHOT” in the United States (US). It’s time for conduction of novel strategies such as the iRT-ABCDEFG and web-based programs for prevention and management of cancer, and further deepen cooperation between China and the US so as to combat cancer and save more lives. In conclusion, as a huge biomedical engineering, the reopening of “CANCER MOONSHOT” is a great task with a special significance and value in the field of cancer prevention and treatment in the COVID-19 era.

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Southwest Harvest for Health: An Adapted Mentored Vegetable Gardening Intervention for Cancer Survivors

Cited by 12 publications

References 43 publications

Sustainability capacity of a vegetable gardening intervention for cancer survivors

Sustainability capacity of a vegetable gardening intervention for cancer survivors

Association between Quality of Life and Physical Functioning in a Gardening Intervention for Cancer Survivors

Reopening the “CANCER MOONSHOT” in the United States: A great task in the COVID-19 era

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