Katharina Buczek
The cluster randomized controlled trial focused on Texas Sprouts, a nutrition, gardening, and cooking intervention that was implemented in elementary schools throughout Austin, Texas.
This study ultimately revealed that school garden-based interventions have the potential to improve metabolic parameters– including cholesterol and blood sugar– among high-risk minority youth.
Right now, American dietary guidelines recommend that children between the ages of 9 and 13 eat at least two and a half cups of vegetables per day– a goal that Texas Sprouts helps facilitate in the face of limited resources.
So, from 2016 to 2019, the researchers analyzed 16 low-income elementary schools located in the greater Austin area.
The schools had a majority population of Hispanic students and were randomly assigned to either delayed intervention or Texas Sprouts intervention.
Texas Sprouts’ efforts took place over the nine-month school year and involved the creation of various engagement initiatives that focused on cultivation and nutrition education.
A Garden Leadership Committee was created, as well as a quarter-acre teaching garden and 18 student nutrition, gardening, and cooking lessons– which were taught by educators throughout the school year. Finally, parents were provided with nine monthly lessons to complete with their children.
The delayed intervention did receive the exact same resources. However, it was deployed the following academic year.
In order to analyze the effects of these efforts, the researchers measured each student’s height and weight, as well as body mass index (BMI).
In addition, the students’ insulin, insulin resistance, glucose, and lipid panel levels were tested.
The team found that compared to elementary schools in the control group, Texas Sprouts students saw a reduction in blood sugar levels over the last three months.
