Growing Healthy Hearts: An Online Gardening Program for Adults With Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease

This study aims to assess the effectiveness on an online gardening study for beginner gardeners with the goal of improving diet and physical activity in those with at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Inclusion Criteria:Are at least 20 years oldHave any one or more health condition(s) or risk factor(s) for CVD. These include, but are not limited to:Any history of cardiovascular diseaseAny family history of cardiovascular disease (as measured by asking if both living and deceased, close biological relatives, that is, blood relatives including father, mother, sisters or brothers, ever told by a health professional that they had a heart attack or angina before the age of 50)Any history of stroke or DVTHigh cholesterolHigh blood pressureOverweight/obesity (BMI >=25)Diabetes, prediabetes, or borderline diabetesCurrent or past Tobacco useReports consuming fruit and vegetables less than 5 times per dayReport less than 150 minutes of physical activity per weekHave access to stable and consistent internet accessHave a Facebook account or willing to open a Facebook accountHave a smart phone or computer and capacity to download the Fitbit app or Fitbit Connect SoftwareMust be willing to wear a Fitbit tracker almost continually (23.5 hours/day) for duration of studyHave access to a kitchen in or near their living spaceHas access to space to start a garden (at home or in a community garden either in the ground, raised beds, or containers)Exclusion Criteria:Unwilling to participate in Zoom sessions and have their voice and face recorded for research purposes.Currently tends a vegetable garden (as measured by if they have tended a garden in the past year or are planning to tend a garden (outside of this study) in the coming season)Moving out of the area in the next 5 monthsNon-English speaking or readingPregnant womenParticipation in a past FCM gardening intervention studyMedical conditions or medications that limit ability to freely increase dietary intake of fruits and vegetables (e.g., kidney failure, dialysis)A medical condition that precludes safe pursuit of gardening, i.e., recent heart conditions (e.g., heart failure, stroke, heart attack), recent or pending surgery, severe orthopedic conditions, pending hip/knee replacement, paralysis, dementia, unstable angina or uncontrolled arrhythmias, or uncontrolled asthma or allergies.Close contacts of current participants in the study