By Paula Baniotaite, Healthier Jupiter Intern

Mental health is a key element to a person’s overall health. It plays an equally important role as healthy eating and active living to ensure people live their healthiest life. To help make sense of mental health’s role in healthy living, Healthier Jupiter worked with a student intern from Florida Atlantic University’s John D. MacArthur Campus to research various topics related to mental health and healthy eating or active living. In the HEAL (Healthy Eating and Active Living) Series, read about promising interventions encouraging people to engage both mentally and physically in healthy behaviors. The following blog post explores the role local produce and horticulture play in well-being.

Opting for local options as opposed to imported goods has become a popular positive movement. People’s interest for local produce continues to rise as we see increases in farmers’ markets and local options at grocery stores.

A study conducted by Bharucha et al., (2019) wanted to focus on the effects of being involved in not just the production of local goods, but in the participation of local food projects and the resulting effects on psychological distress and well-being. The researchers defined involvement in local food projects as ranging from receiving boxes of local produce deliveries and attending farmers’ markets to individuals cultivating their own food in allotment plots or community managed gardens (Bharucha et al., 2019).

This study found that individuals who participated in local food projects scored higher on positive well-being measures when compared to those who did not participate in such projects. The researchers also discovered that those who were more involved in local food projects, compared to those who were strictly consumers, reported higher life satisfaction ratings (Bharucha et al., 2019). Alongside improved psychological well-being, researchers discovered that participants felt more connected to nature and consumed more fruits and vegetables when compared to those who did not participate in local food projects.

The authors suggest and encourage future implementations of horticulture projects for the benefits of the general population. The authors also point to the benefits associated with such programs for those who may be suffering with more extreme cases of anxiety and depression, suggesting that a boost in mood from involvement in such activities may improve well-being (Bharucha et al., 2019).

Likely partners to address some of these practices may include farmers market associations.

The HEAL Series focusing on mental health’s connection to healthy eating and active living is part of an internship opportunity with FAU John D. MacArthur Campus at Jupiter student Paula Baniotaite. Paula holds a Bachelor's in Psychology.Strong advocate for mental health and spending time in nature. Animal lover. Avid hiker and camper. Dedicated to spreading the message about healthy eating habits and living an active life. Proud vegan. If you are interested in interning with Healthier Jupiter, please contact joanna.peluso@jupitermed.com.

READ MORE IN THE HEAL SERIES

Sources:

Bharucha, Z. P., Weinstein, N., Watson, D., & Boehm, S. (2020). Participation in local food projects is associated with better psychological well-being: evidence from the East of England. Journal of Public Health, 42(2), e187–e197. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdz057

HEAL Series: Shop Local! It May Improve Your Community Connection