Authors
Cindy K. Blair, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico, MSC07-4025, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, Albuquerque, NM 87102, USA
Prajakta Adsul, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico, MSC07-4025, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, Albuquerque, NM 87102, USA
Dolores D. Guest, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico, MSC07-4025, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, Albuquerque, NM 87102, USA
Andrew L. Sussman, University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, Albuquerque, NM 87102, USA; Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
Linda S. Cook, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico, MSC07-4025, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, Albuquerque, NM 87102, USA
Elizabeth M. Harding, Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
Joseph Rodman, University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, Albuquerque, NM 87102, USA
Dorothy Duff, Albuquerque Area Extension Master Gardener Program, NMSU Cooperative Extension Service, Albuquerque, NM 87107, USA
Ellen Burgess, University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, Albuquerque, NM 87102, USA
Karen Quezada, University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, Albuquerque, NM 87102, USA
Ursa Brown-Glaberman, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico, MSC07-4025, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, Albuquerque, NM 87102, USA
Towela V. King, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
Erika Baca, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
Zoneddy Dayao, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico, MSC07-4025, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, Albuquerque, NM 87102, USA
Vernon Shane Pankratz, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico, MSC07-4025, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, Albuquerque, NM 87102, USA
Sally M. Davis, Department of Pediatrics, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; University of New Mexico Prevention Research Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
Wendy Demark-Wahnefried, Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
Publication Date
7-6-2021
Abstract
Harvest for Health is a home-based vegetable gardening intervention that pairs cancer survivors with Master Gardeners from the Cooperative Extension System. Initially developed and tested in Alabama, the program was adapted for the different climate, growing conditions, and population in New Mexico. This paper chronicles the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of "Southwest Harvest for Health". During the nine-month single-arm trial, 30 cancer survivor-Master Gardener dyads worked together to establish and maintain three seasonal gardens. Primary outcomes were accrual, retention, and satisfaction. Secondary outcomes were vegetable and fruit (V and F) intake, physical activity, and quality of life. Recruitment was diverse and robust, with 30 survivors of various cancers, aged 50-83, roughly one-third minority, and two-thirds females enrolled in just 60 days. Despite challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, retention to the nine-month study was 100%, 93% reported "good-to-excellent" satisfaction, and 87% "would do it again." A median increase of 1.2 servings of V and F/day was documented. The adapted home-based vegetable gardening program was feasible, well-received, and resulted in increased V and F consumption among adult cancer survivors. Future studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of this program and to inform strategies to increase the successful implementation and further dissemination of this intervention.
Publication Title
Nutrients
Recommended Citation
Blair CK, Adsul P, Guest DD, Sussman AL, Cook LS, Harding EM, Rodman J, Duff D, Burgess E, Quezada K, Brown-Glaberman U, King TV, Baca E, Dayao Z, Pankratz VS, Davis S, Demark-Wahnefried W. Southwest Harvest for Health: An Adapted Mentored Vegetable Gardening Intervention for Cancer Survivors. Nutrients. 2021 Jul 6;13(7):2319. doi: 10.3390/nu13072319. PMID: 34371829; PMCID: PMC8308636.
