Effects of School Gardening Lessons on Elementary School Children’s Physical Activity and Sedentary Time

Urban Farm DB summary

This study investigated the effects of school gardening lessons on elementary school children's physical activity and sedentary time. Teachers from four elementary schools taught one math or science lesson per week in the school garden. Physical activity was measured using accelerometers on 74 children, and 75 were observed, comparing garden days and no-garden days. Children spent a significantly larger proportion of time active on garden days at three of the four schools, and the proportion of time spent sedentary and active differed significantly across schools.