The Neighborhood & Health Study

Summary

The objective of The Neighborhood \& Health Study is to use a quasi-experimental mixed-methods approach to assess the impact of living in an agrihood-an agriculturally integrated community. This study follows a longitudinal cohort of residents of a newly developed neighborhood (the Indigo Neighborhood) and a geographically and socio-demographically matched neighborhood (the Elyson Neighborhood), both located in Fort Bend County, Texas, providing a unique opportunity for a natural experiment.

Detailed Description

Poor nutrition and inadequate physical activity are prevalent in many communities across the United States. Agriculturally integrated communities called "agrihoods" are a potential responsive agriculture solution that may support healthy living. The aims of the study are to 1) Assess short-term changes in healthy eating, physical activity, cardiometabolic health indicators, and social connectedness as compared to a comparison neighborhood that is not an agriculturally integrated neighborhood; 2) Document time use with features of the Indigo Agrihood and assess consumer preferences for built and nature design features to provide resident-driven data for future developments; 3) Assess the economic benefits of the Indigo Agrihood.

Eligibility Criteria

Interventions