What's Happening?
Penn State College of Medicine researchers, led by Susan Veldheer and Amy Moore, have been awarded a five-year, $3.8 million grant from the National Institute of Nursing Research of the National Institutes
of Health. This funding will support a study to determine if a remote program, 'Growing Healthy Hearts,' focused on gardening, cooking skills, nutrition education, and peer support, can help adults at risk for cardiovascular disease adopt healthier habits. The program aims to address the low rates of fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity among American adults, with only about one in ten meeting recommended daily fruit and vegetable intake and half achieving the recommended 150 minutes of physical activity per week. The study will involve a randomized controlled trial with 264 participants who have at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease, low fruit and vegetable intake, low physical activity, and at least one child living at home. Participants will be randomized into either the 'Growing Healthy Hearts' group or a waitlist control group, with follow-ups at six months and one year to assess dietary changes, physical activity levels, and cardiometabolic health biomarkers.
Why It's Important?
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death globally, with diet and physical activity being significant contributing factors. This research is important because it moves beyond traditional health education, which often focuses solely on 'what to do,' to explore 'how to do it' through enjoyable and intrinsically motivating activities like gardening. By integrating gardening and cooking into a 'food as medicine' approach, the program seeks to build practical skills and confidence, potentially leading to sustained behavioral changes. The remote delivery method, utilizing a private Facebook group moderated by Penn State Extension master gardeners and culinary nutrition experts, is particularly significant. This approach could make evidence-based health promotion programs accessible to individuals in rural communities where access to such resources, nutrition education, and affordable fresh produce is often limited. The study also investigates whether these healthier habits extend to children in participating households, addressing a critical public health concern regarding childhood nutrition.
What's Next?
The research team will proceed with recruiting 264 participants for the randomized controlled trial. The 'Growing Healthy Hearts' program will be delivered remotely through a private Facebook group, providing ongoing education and support over six months. Penn State Extension educators will offer tailored guidance on gardening and food preparation. Researchers will monitor participants at six months and one year to evaluate the program's impact on diet, physical activity, and cardiometabolic health. If successful, this study could provide a scalable model for delivering effective health interventions, particularly for underserved populations. The collaboration between rigorous health research and Penn State's land-grant mission aims to not only prove the program's efficacy but also to establish a framework for its broader implementation across Pennsylvania and beyond.
Beyond the Headlines
This initiative highlights a growing trend in public health that recognizes the limitations of knowledge-based interventions and emphasizes the importance of intrinsic motivation and practical skill-building for sustained behavior change. By framing gardening and cooking as enjoyable activities rather than mere disease prevention strategies, the program taps into deeper human desires for connection with nature, self-sufficiency, and family well-being. The use of social media platforms for program delivery also represents a significant shift, leveraging widely used digital tools to overcome geographical barriers and enhance accessibility. This approach could pave the way for future health interventions that are more integrated into daily life and less reliant on traditional clinical or classroom settings. Furthermore, the focus on family-level impact underscores the understanding that health behaviors are often intertwined within household dynamics, suggesting a holistic approach to improving community health.
