Elmhurst Community Gardening Problem Study

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Since those in poverty would be gaining better nutrition, the social problem of obesity would decline. Besides providing fresh food to food deserts (areas where people rely on dry, prepackaged foods), gardens are proven to decrease the crime rate according to a 2013 study from UC Davis (Urban Vine 2015). High crime traps children indoors and prevents them from exercising which increases the obesity rate; gardens would counteract this. Furthermore, since plants consume CO2 green roofs and green walls will help minimize the social problem of pollution and the emissions of greenhouse gases. Likewise, producing food locally decreases the pollution from transportation. Moreover, hydroponics often time reuses their water source, which means less water is required compared to traditional growing. …show more content…

According to Psychology Today, gardening is proven to improve mental health and mental cognition (Rayner 2015). Gardening can help both the elderly and those incarcerated because it allows individuals to relax, remain connected, provides a sense of responsibility, decreases aggression, and releases endorphins which makes people happy (Rayner 2015). There are many successful green roof programs which incorporate the elderly, the Elmhurst Community is an example (Link for more info). Besides improving the elderly’s mental state, gardening is a form of exercise, improves their motor skills, provides social interaction and helps to improve their nutrition. According to Alliance Patient Nutrition, “one in three” elderly admitted into hospitals are malnourished upon admission (Biancato 2015). Overall, this initiative would provide a purpose to both the elderly and those

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