Hortas públicas, biológicas e urbanas

: que efeito nos comportamentos de saúde, na qualidade de vida e nas práticas ambientais?

Abstract

Introduction: In a world in increasing urbanization characterized by heavy pollution and lack of green spaces, urban gardens play an important role contributing to the environmental, economic and food sustainability of cities. These spaces also allow to improve the landscape, creating spaces for the socialization and the practice of playful or sport activities and play a pedagogical role by allowing the contact of the urban population with the basis of their survival. The recent increase in this type of structures, and the clear adherence of populations, has aroused the interest of the scientific community. In this sense, several studies have shown a set of benefits in individuals exposed to horticulture regarding physical and mental health, food, well-being and quality of life. The present study becomes pertinent given the recent expansion of these spaces in Portugal and the absence of studies that have measured their impact on the health behaviors and quality of life of the users. Objectives: The objectives of the present research were: i) to characterize the horticulturists of an urban garden in terms of their state of health, health behaviors and environmental practices, and ii) to evaluate the effect of horticulture practice on health behaviors, quality of life and environmental practices. Methodology: The study was carried out in the garden of the José Avides de Moreira Park, located in the Conde Ferreira Hospital Center, with a sample of 115 gardeners who were starting horticulture or had recently started it. The data collection was performed by interview, through the application of semi-structured questionnaires prepared for this purpose. All participants were interviewed when they were invited to join the study and at a second time (n = 102), which occurred roughly six months after the initial evaluation and whose objective was to evaluate possible changes due to horticulture in the behaviors of individuals. Results: There were significant and statistically significant changes from the first to the second evaluation regarding anthropometric parameters, eating habits, physical activity, smoking habits, quality of life and environmental sustainability practices. For the effect of exposure intensity (up to 3 hours vs. more than 3 hours per week), there were not statistically significant differences between the two groups. However, it was possible to observe higher values in the group associated with a longer exposure time. Conclusions: Horticulture had a beneficial effect on the health behaviors, quality of life and environmental practices of the participants. In the future it is justified to carry out studies with longer periods of follow-up in order to identify i) the maximum positive impact that horticulture entails on the variables studied here and ii) other possible types of benefits in areas not addressed in the present research.

Date of Award	10 Apr 2017
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Margarida Silva (Supervisor) & Elisabete Pinto Jane (Co-Supervisor)