Community Gardening for Type 2 Diabetes

Not currently recruiting at 3 trial locations

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Toronto

Disqualifiers: Chronic disease, Other trial, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

Duration: 26 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests how a community gardening program can help people manage or prevent type 2 diabetes. Researchers aim to determine if growing food and learning about nutrition can improve diet and physical activity. Participants will join gardening and cooking classes and answer questions about their health and habits. The trial seeks Mississauga residents with type 2 diabetes, risk factors for it, or an interest in prevention. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative lifestyle changes that could benefit health.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on community gardening and lifestyle changes, so it's unlikely that medication changes are required, but you should confirm with the trial organizers.

What prior data suggests that this community gardening program is safe for participants?

Research has shown that community gardening is generally safe for most people. Studies have found that it can increase fruit and vegetable consumption, boost physical activity, and improve mental well-being. No reports have directly linked community gardening to negative effects. Activities such as planting and weeding are typically manageable and provide gentle exercise, benefiting overall health.

The program also offers lessons on nutrition and diabetes, which may aid in better diabetes management. Overall, participating in a community gardening program appears to be a safe and healthy choice for those seeking to enhance their lifestyle and reduce their risk of diabetes. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about community gardening as a treatment for Type 2 diabetes because it offers a holistic and engaging approach that differs from standard medical treatments like medication and insulin therapy. This program not only involves physical activity through gardening but also includes cooking classes and educational sessions on nutrition and diabetes management. It provides an interactive and communal way to promote healthier lifestyles, which could lead to better long-term management of diabetes. By addressing lifestyle factors in a supportive environment, this treatment has the potential to empower individuals with diabetes to make meaningful changes to their health.

What evidence suggests that community gardening is effective for type 2 diabetes?

Research has shown that community gardening can lower the risk of type 2 diabetes. Studies have found that people who garden in their community tend to eat more fruits and vegetables, improving their diet. Gardening also involves physical activity, which links to better health. One study discovered that community gardening reduced blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Participants also reported better social support and mental health, both important for managing diabetes. Overall, these findings suggest that community gardening might improve health for those at risk of or living with type 2 diabetes. Participants in this trial will engage in a 26-week community gardening and cooking program, which includes nutrition and type 2 diabetes education, to further explore these potential benefits. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Vasanti Malik, MSc, ScD

Principal Investigator

University of Toronto

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults aged 18 and older who either have type 2 diabetes, are at risk of developing it, or are interested in prevention. Participants will engage in a community gardening program that includes education on managing and preventing diabetes.

Inclusion Criteria

Not currently participating in another trial/research study (other than the current one)

Must be a resident of Mississauga

I am interested in preventing Type 2 Diabetes or have been diagnosed with it or at risk for it.

Exclusion Criteria

I am under 18 years old.

Has a chronic disease that could affect participation in the study

Currently participating in another trial/research study (other than the current one)

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Co-design and Baseline Assessment

Participants engage in a co-design focus group and complete baseline questionnaires on diet quality, physical activity, and type 2 diabetes risk factors

2 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants engage in a 26-week community gardening and cooking program with integrated type 2 diabetes education

26 weeks

Weekly sessions (in-person)

Midpoint Assessment

Participants complete questionnaires on diet quality, physical activity, and type 2 diabetes risk factors at 12 weeks

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants complete final questionnaires and participate in a post-implementation focus group to assess program impact

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Community Gardening Program

Trial Overview

The study tests a revised 26-week community garden program by Ecosource, which integrates type 2 diabetes education. It aims to see if this can lower diabetes risk factors like poor diet and lack of exercise while aligning with local health strategies.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participation in Ecosource's 26-week community gardening and cooking classes with nutrition and type 2 diabetes education

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Toronto

Lead Sponsor

Trials

739

Recruited

1,125,000+

Citations

1.

clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07112326

Community Gardens and Environmental Health in ...

This project aims to assess how community gardening can reduce type 2 diabetes risk and improve health outcomes among people aged 18 and older, ...

2.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5963280/

A randomized controlled trial of community gardening - PMC

This trial will assess whether community gardening increases fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity, improves social support and mental health,

3.

ir.library.illinoisstate.edu

ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2551&context=etd

Impacts of Community Gardens on Overall Health Promotion ...

In terms of type-2 diabetes prevention, the aim of this research is to investigate how gardening experiences impact different populations on their fresh produce.

4.

researchgate.net

researchgate.net/publication/221813449_The_Effect_of_a_Community_Garden_on_HgA1c_in_Diabetics_of_Marshallese_Descent

The Effect of a Community Garden on HgA1c in Diabetics ...

A mixed-convergent parallell designed intervention study was created to learn whether a community garden could provide improved diabetes ...

5.

healthbegins.org

healthbegins.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Community-Gardens-Evidence-Assessment.pdf

Evidence Assessment Library - Community Gardens

This assessment synthesizes the results of studies on community gardens domestically and internationally across three domains of measurement:.

6.

withpower.com

withpower.com/trial/phase-diabetes-mellitus-type-2-6-2025-85501

Community Gardening for Type 2 Diabetes

... Community Gardening Program will have tolerable side effects & efficacy for patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes. Learn more about the study.