Can urban gardens improve food security, health, well-being and financial sustainability of households?

INTRODUCTION: An increased consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables is associated with health benefits [1,2]. Including them in the daily diet can reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases [2]. Urban gardens (UG) can improve communities around them by allowing a supply of such products [3,4], by contributing to conscious decisions about eating [4] and lessening the health costs of its populations [2–4], by improving their participants self-esteem, and by helping in the development of competencies [4]. This preliminary study aimed to understand the parameters that could be evaluated on a greater scale future study, to assess the role of urban gardens in their participants health, nutrition knowledge and family budget. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An UG in Setúbal, Portugal, was selected for this study. All data was collected in October, 2018 and included: demographic data from the gardeners (n = 133), a “Food and Nutrition Knowledge” validated questionnaire [5] with 20 true and false questions (n = 6), and semi-structured interviews (n = 6). All interviewed gardeners understood the purpose and signed the informed consent. RESULTS: The UG had 138 plots with 133 in use. Most of the gardeners were men (59.9%) and under 65 years of age (74.4%). 30,5% had an income under (n = 133) 11,999€per year. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Our results meet those of recent studies that enhance the importance of UG in feeding populations, especially those with diminished food security and low access to fresh quality products [6–8]. Increased level of activity, higher fruit and vegetable consumption, along with savings in the family budget were referred by gardeners supporting the need for a more in-depth study. The UG is eligible for an observational study using the methods already stated. In addition, collection of anthropometric data and nutritional and cognitive screening tests would allow for a better view of the gardeners health.