Department of Movement and Sports Sciences, Ghent University, Watersportlaan 2, 9000 Gent, Belgium.
Logo Gezond+, Baudelokaai 8, 9000 Gent, Belgium.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2017 Nov 25;14(12):1454. doi: 10.3390/ijerph14121454.
School gardens have beneficial effects on children's dietary behaviors but information on its implementation is scarce. The current study aimed to gain insight in implementation practices of school gardens and in perceptions of key members and children towards a school garden. We conducted twelve interviews involving 14 key members and five focus groups with 38 children from fifth to sixth grade (10-13 years old) in four primary schools in Ghent (Flanders, Belgium). We analyzed the interviews and focus groups in NVivo, using thematic analysis. School gardens were mainly initiated to involve children in nature, not to improve vegetable consumption. Participants were positive about having a school garden, experienced facilitating factors (e.g., adaptability of the garden, having a person responsible for the garden), but also various barriers (e.g., difficulties with startup, maintenance during summer holidays and integration in the school curriculum) and suggested some solutions (e.g., involving external organizations and parents, expanding the garden) and motivating factors for children (e.g., colorful plants, use of gloves). In order to improve implementation and to contribute to children's health, future school gardening projects should take the recommendations of key members and children into account.
学校花园对儿童的饮食行为有有益影响，但有关其实施的信息却很少。本研究旨在深入了解学校花园的实施情况，以及关键成员和儿童对学校花园的看法。我们在根特的四所小学（比利时佛兰德）进行了 12 次访谈，涉及 14 名关键成员和 5 个焦点小组，共有 38 名五至六年级（10-13 岁）的儿童参加。我们使用 NVivo 对访谈和焦点小组进行了分析，并采用主题分析。学校花园主要是为了让孩子们接触大自然，而不是为了提高蔬菜的摄入量。参与者对拥有一个学校花园持积极态度，他们体验到了促进因素（如花园的适应性、有专人负责花园），但也遇到了各种障碍（如启动困难、暑假期间的维护以及融入学校课程），并提出了一些解决方案（如涉及外部组织和家长、扩大花园）和激励孩子们的因素（如色彩鲜艳的植物、使用手套）。为了改善实施情况，促进儿童健康，未来的学校园艺项目应考虑关键成员和儿童的建议。
