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Health Benefits of Urban Allotment Gardening: Improved Physical and Psychological Well-Being and Social Integration

Author

Listed:
  • Masashi Soga

    (Department of Urban Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan)

  • Daniel T. C. Cox

    (Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK)

  • Yuichi Yamaura

    (Forestry and Forest Product Research Institute, Matsunosato 1, Tsukuba 305-8687, Japan)

  • Kevin J. Gaston

    (Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK)

  • Kiyo Kurisu

    (Department of Urban Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan)

  • Keisuke Hanaki

    (Department of Urban Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan)

Abstract

With an ever-increasing urban population, promoting public health and well-being in towns and cities is a major challenge. Previous research has suggested that participating in allotment gardening delivers a wide range of health benefits. However, evidence from quantitative analyses is still scarce. Here, we quantify the effects, if any, of participating in allotment gardening on physical, psychological and social health. A questionnaire survey of 332 people was performed in Tokyo, Japan. We compared five self-reported health outcomes between allotment gardeners and non-gardener controls: perceived general health, subjective health complaints, body mass index (BMI), mental health and social cohesion. Accounting for socio-demographic and lifestyle variables, regression models revealed that allotment gardeners, compared to non-gardeners, reported better perceived general health, subjective health complaints, mental health and social cohesion. BMI did not differ between gardeners and non-gardeners. Neither frequency nor duration of gardening significantly influenced reported health outcomes. Our results highlight that regular gardening on allotment sites is associated with improved physical, psychological and social health. With the recent escalation in the prevalence of chronic diseases, and associated healthcare costs, this study has a major implication for policy, as it suggests that urban allotments have great potential for preventative healthcare.

Suggested Citation

  • Masashi Soga & Daniel T. C. Cox & Yuichi Yamaura & Kevin J. Gaston & Kiyo Kurisu & Keisuke Hanaki, 2017. "Health Benefits of Urban Allotment Gardening: Improved Physical and Psychological Well-Being and Social Integration," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:1:p:71-:d:87652
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    Cited by:

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    9. Anita Kwartnik-Pruc & Gabriela Droj, 2023. "The Role of Allotments and Community Gardens and the Challenges Facing Their Development in Urban Environments—A Literature Review," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-26, January.
    10. Alyssa W. Beavers & Ashley Atkinson & Lauren M. Varvatos & Mary Connolly & Katherine Alaimo, 2022. "How Gardening in Detroit Influences Physical and Mental Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-11, June.
    11. Daisuke Machida, 2019. "Relationship between Community or Home Gardening and Health of the Elderly: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Survey in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-15, April.
    12. Charlotte Wendelboe-Nelson & Sarah Kelly & Marion Kennedy & John W. Cherrie, 2019. "A Scoping Review Mapping Research on Green Space and Associated Mental Health Benefits," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-49, June.
    13. Walter Dachaga & Walter Timo de Vries, 2022. "Integrating Urban Land Tenure Security in Health Determinants: The Design of Indicators for Measuring Land Tenure Security and Health Relationships in Developing Country Contexts," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-28, March.
    14. Jonathan Kingsley & Aisling Bailey & Nooshin Torabi & Pauline Zardo & Suzanne Mavoa & Tonia Gray & Danielle Tracey & Philip Pettitt & Nicholas Zajac & Emily Foenander, 2019. "A Systematic Review Protocol Investigating Community Gardening Impact Measures," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-12, September.
    15. Shingo Yoshida & Hironori Yagi, 2023. "Effects of Sustainability Practices on Farm Continuity in Urban Agriculture: From the Creating Shared Value Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-20, October.
    16. Giuseppina Spano & Marina D’Este & Vincenzo Giannico & Giuseppe Carrus & Mario Elia & Raffaele Lafortezza & Angelo Panno & Giovanni Sanesi, 2020. "Are Community Gardening and Horticultural Interventions Beneficial for Psychosocial Well-Being? A Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-12, May.
    17. Anna Gregis & Chiara Ghisalberti & Savino Sciascia & Francesco Sottile & Cristiana Peano, 2021. "Community Garden Initiatives Addressing Health and Well-Being Outcomes: A Systematic Review of Infodemiology Aspects, Outcomes, and Target Populations," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-12, February.

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