Effects of a School-Based Nutrition, Gardening, and Cooking Intervention on Metabolic Parameters in High-risk Youth: A Secondary Analysis of a Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial

According to a new study published in The Journal of American Medical Association Network Open, school garden-based interventions can improve blood sugar and reduce bad cholesterol in children. This research program provided 3,302 children at low-income elementary schools with majority Hispanic students innovative ways to learn about school gardens, nutrition, and cooking interventions. The researchers measured the effects of the program on childhood obesity markers, dietary intake, diet related behaviors, physical activity levels, and school performance. The study found a reduction in blood sugar levels and a reduction in bad cholesterol, indicating a reduced risk of diabetes and prediabetes among the target population. Based on the results, the authors recommend more elementary schools include garden-based interventions in their curriculula.  READ THE REPORT HERE