Introduction: A Growing Promise in Public Health
Helping children cultivate a “green thumb” could offer lifelong health benefits beyond fresh vegetables. A rapid review led by Christina Gillies, an adjunct professor at the University of Alberta, found that gardening initiatives for children and youth may serve as a primary prevention strategy to reduce cancer risk while also enhancing social and physical environments for health. The work highlights how modifiable risk factors—healthy eating, regular physical activity, and reduced sedentary time—can be nurtured through hands-on gardening experiences.
What the Review Found
The team analyzed 48 studies from high-income countries and discovered several consistent benefits of school and community gardening programs. Participants showed improved nutrition knowledge and healthier eating behaviors. They also demonstrated increased physical activity and reduced sedentary time, along with enhanced psychosocial outcomes such as a stronger sense of social connection and belonging. While changes in body weight were less clear, the broader health impacts suggest gardening can play an important role in cancer prevention strategies across childhood and adolescence.
Why Gardening Matters for Cancer Prevention
Cancer prevention hinges on addressing risk factors that are modifiable during childhood. Gillies notes that healthy eating and active living are central to reducing chronic disease risk. Gardening naturally intertwines these elements: children learn about fresh, nutrient-dense foods while engaging in outdoor activity. The routine of tending plants teaches discipline, resilience, and collaboration—skills that support a healthy lifestyle into adulthood.
Intergenerational and Cultural Benefits
Gillies’ interest in gardening emerged from partnerships with Indigenous communities on school-based projects that blend intergenerational learning with land-based knowledge. Such programs not only promote healthy choices but also support cultural revitalization and community cohesion, which can amplify positive health outcomes. The Alberta context shows strong community interest, with more than 80 community gardens in the region and local facilities like the University of Alberta’s Green and Gold Community Garden.
Practical Lessons for Schools and Communities
Implementing gardening initiatives is not without challenges. Schools and community groups often face barriers related to human, land, and financial resources. Gillies emphasizes the importance of champions who can initiate and sustain these programs beyond one-off projects. Successful gardening initiatives typically involve thoughtful planning, ongoing support, and the integration of gardening into broader health-promoting activities.
Equity Considerations for Inclusive Impact
A secondary equity-focused analysis of the studies is under review, highlighting that effective programs engage parents, peers, and family networks while building strong community partnerships. The research underscores the need to design gardening initiatives with a focus on gender, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, and culture. Ensuring that communities most affected by health inequities are involved in the design process is crucial for equitable improvements in living conditions and health outcomes.
Living the Practice: A Personal Spotlight
Gillies herself has begun practicing what she studies. She volunteers at the Laurier Heights Food Forest with her three-year-old daughter and husband. The community orchard features raspberries, apples, haskaps, saskatoons, and flowers, providing a living classroom where family members learn by doing. “While I’m weeding, my daughter is harvesting berries and trying new things. She doesn’t stop moving the whole time, and neither do I. We’re getting that physical activity as well as really enhanced community connection by meeting our neighbours,” she says.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for the Future of Public Health
Gillies plans longer-term studies to understand how gardening initiatives can sustain positive lifestyle changes into adulthood and ultimately improve health outcomes. The overarching message is clear: creating opportunities for children to engage with plants, food, and the land can be a powerful, cost-effective component of cancer prevention and broader public health.
Getting Involved
If you’re inspired to start or support a gardening project in your community, consider partnering with schools, community centers, or local health agencies. Champion leadership, secure accessible spaces, and build partnerships that include families and equity-focused stakeholders. The benefits extend beyond nutrition and fitness to stronger social ties, cultural continuity, and a shared sense of belonging—foundations for healthier lives and, potentially, lower cancer risk.
