Relationship between School Gardening and Self-Efficacy on Weekly Fruit & Vegetable Intake

Abstract Background: The study was designed to understand the relationship between school gardens and student’s self-efficacy and its effect on weekly intake of fruits and vegetables. The survey used two Ugandan secondary schools; one having a well established school garden with all students having equal opportunities to participate in the growing, harvesting and consumptions of fruits and vegetables. Methods: The study followed a cross-sectional study design employing quantitative research methods. The target population comprised of late adolescents 18–25 years attending the two-selected secondary school; one in Kampala and another in Luwero districts. The school in Luwero district engaged students in gardening activities while the school in Kampala did not. Self-administered structured questionnaire was given to students to answer questions in line with the specific objectives. Quantitative data was analyzed by t-test, Mann Whitney U test, Pearson Rank Correlation, Odds ratio and Chi-square. Results: The students exposed to gardening had a higher self-efficacy (p = 0.03217) towards weekly consumption of fruits and vegetables with slightly higher scores of fruits and vegetable weekly intake as compared to those not exposed (OR = 1.0370). However, the weekly consumption of fruits and vegetables was low among both groups as compared to the World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommendation of ≥ 35 servings per week (≥ 5 servings per day) for both fruits and vegetables. The students in the exposed group were more confident in consuming fruits and vegetables rather than a snack (p = 0.008), ice cream (p = 0.004), three times a day (p < 0.0001) compared to the control group. Conclusion: School garden based intervention can significantly improve student’s self-efficacy towards fruit & vegetable dietary intake increasing the weekly consumption of fruits and vegetables.