Hands-on-ground in a new country: a community-based participatory evaluation with immigrant communities in Southern Alberta.

Immigrants experience a high risk of mental health deterioration following settlement in Canada. Immigrant communities benefit from health-promoting interventions that stimulate social inclusion and belonging as protective factors. In this context, community gardens have been recognized as interventions that promote healthy behaviours, place attachment and belonging.This article summarizes our experience conducting a community-based participatory evaluation (CBPE), engaging community stakeholders in planning, implementing and evaluating a community garden for immigrants. We conducted a CBPE to provide relevant and timely feedback to inform programme adaptation and development. Participants, interpreters and organizers were engaged through surveys, focus groups and semi-structured interviews. Participants expressed a range of motivations, benefits, challenges and recommendations. The garden was a place that fostered learning and promoted healthy behaviours, including physical activity and socialization. However, there were challenges in organization and communication with participants. Findings were used to adapt the activities to immigrants' needs and expand the programming of collaborating organizations. Stakeholder engagement facilitated capacity building and direct use of findings. This approach may catalyse sustainable community action with immigrant communities.

Determinants of Outdoor Time in Children and Youth: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal and Intervention Studies.

Spending more time outdoors can improve children's social and cognitive development, physical activity, and vision. Our systematic review summarized the determinants of outdoor time (OT) based on the social-ecological model. We searched nine databases: MEDLINE, APA PsycINFO, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, ERIC, SocINDEX, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. To be included, studies needed to be quantitative and longitudinal, include ≥1 potential determinant of OT among 0- to 17-year-olds, and be published in English, French, Japanese, or Spanish. We extracted the authors, publication year, country, design, sample size, OT measures, follow-up period, potential determinants, main results, and potential moderators or mediators. Fifty-five studies examining 119 potential determinants met the inclusion criteria. OT was consistently higher in warmer seasons and among participants reporting more OT at baseline. All three interventions that included both parent sessions and additional resources to promote OT (e.g., specific advice and community guides) were effective. COVID-19 restrictions and sun safety interventions discouraging midday outdoor activities led to less OT. The quality of evidence was rated as weak for 46 studies. Most potential determinants were examined in ≤3 studies; thus, more longitudinal studies are needed to enable stronger conclusions about the consistency of evidence and meta-analyses.

The Relationship Between Nature and Immigrants' Integration, Wellbeing and Physical Activity: A Scoping Review.

Exposure to nature has been suggested to promote immigrants' health and facilitate adaptation. This review summarizes previous research focusing on the relationship between nature and immigrants' integration, wellbeing and physical activity. A search strategy was developed and adapted to seven databases. After removing duplicates, 4861 records were screened, 81 met inclusion criteria. Community gardens and urban parks were the most studied environments. In these settings, embodied experiences (the interactive processes of sensing and cognition) can foster new memories that facilitate adaptation and attachment to new natural environments. Social interaction and reconnecting with pre-migration experiences through specific use patterns can promote cultural continuation, sense of belonging and wellbeing. Other health benefits such as physical activity, disease management and improved nutrition were less frequently studied. Barriers to participation and recommendations for research and practice were also identified. Use of stronger study designs and greater inclusion of immigrant groups in research, design and evaluation of nature-based initiatives is needed.