The Impact of Urban Allotment Gardens on Physical and Mental Health in Norway

Mari Johnsrud, Ursula Småland Goth and Hilde Skjerve ()
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Mari Johnsrud: Department of Health and Exercise, School of Health Sciences, Kristiania University College, 0107 Oslo, Norway
Ursula Småland Goth: NLA University College, Campus Oslo, 0103 Oslo, Norway
Hilde Skjerve: Department of Health and Exercise, School of Health Sciences, Kristiania University College, 0107 Oslo, Norway

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 6, 1-8

Abstract: In Norway, many communities offer low-rent plots of land on which city dwellers can build summer cottages and grow crops. These allotment gardens serve as recreational escapes from urban life. However, little is known about the impact these gardens have on their members. This study attempts to shed light on today’s impact of allotment gardens in a public health setting in Norway. The study was based on 17 semi-structured interviews and 2 in-depth interviews with allotment house owners. Informants were mainly recruited by “snowball sampling”. Our data show that maintaining an allotment promotes exercise and provides a positive impact on self-perceived well-being and physical health through outdoor activities. Spending time in the garden contributes to new knowledge and experiences. Owning an allotment garden has provided new knowledge, new skills, new hobbies, and thereby an improvement in lifestyle. The allotment garden has a strong impact on perceived health, well-being, and sense of coherence (SOC) for the individuals. It promotes outdoor activities along with social interaction and can prevent feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Keywords: allotment house; allotment garden; quality of life; physical health; mental health; perceived health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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