The Effect of a Community Garden on HgA1c in Diabetics of Marshallese Descent

Abstract

A mixed-convergent parallell designed intervention study was created to learn whether a community garden could provide improved diabetes control for members of a Midwest community of immigrants from the Marshall Islands. Qualitative data gathered through field observations on cultural norms and beliefs, food perceptions, and barriers to health care corrobrorated data gained at medical appointments for diabetes follow-up. Marshallese clients from a local community health center were recruited to participate in a community garden. Persons who participated in a community garden had significant reduction in their HgA1c postintervention, compared to persons who did not participate actively.