Journal of Community Nutrition

The Korean Society of Community Nutrition (대한지역사회영양학회)
권호 표지

Using Sustainable Agriculture to Improve Human Nutrition and Health

  • Cullum, Christine-Mc (Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, University of Texas Health Science Center)
  • Published : 2004.03.01
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

The purpose of this article is twofold: 1) to provide nutrition professionals with the history of how the concept of sustainable diets was introduced to the nutrition profession and 2) to describe how different sustainable agricultural practices offer potential for improving human nutrition and health. The idea of connecting sustainable agriculture With the promotion of human nutrition and health is not new. It is a concept that was introduced to the nutrition profession more than 20 years ago. To foster healthful, sustainable diets, consumers need to choose more whole foods. From the standpoint of nutrition and health, whole foods are naturally higher in fiber and lower in fat, sodium, sugar and additives compared to highly processed foods. From the standpoint of agricultural sustainability, whole foods bypass the high-energy costs of food processing and transportation. Organic farming systems offer potential benefits to human health through reducing farmers' exposure to pesticides and by increasing the total phenolic content in selected food crops. Participation in farmers' market nutrition programs and gardening has been associated with increased fruit and vegetable intake. Gardening may also be a way to increase access to fresh produce in low-income populations that do not have access to nutritious food outlets and to increase physical activity. Further research is needed to assess the human nutrition and health benefits of other types of sustainable agriculture strategies and to investigate the links among different agricultural practices with nutrient and total phenolic content in a wider variety of important food crops.

Keywords

References

  1. Alavanja MCR, Samanie C, Dosemeci M, Lubin J, Tarone R, Lynch CF, Knott C, Thomas K, Hoppin JA,Barker J, Coble J, Sandler DP, Blair A(2003) : Use of agricultural pesticides and prostate cancer risk in the agricultural health study cohort. Am J Epidemiol 157 : 800-814 https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwg040
  2. Alavanja MCR, Sandler DP, McMaster SB, Hoar Zahm S, McDonnell CJ, Lynch CF, Pennybaker M, Rothman N, Dosemeci M, Bond AE, Blair A(1996) : The agricultural health study. Environ Health Perspect 104 : 362-369 https://doi.org/10.2307/3432672
  3. Anderson JV, Bybee DI, Brown RM, McLean DF, Garcia EM, Breer ML, Schillo BA(2001) : 5 A Day fruit and vegetable intervention improves consumption in a low income population. J Am Diet Assoc 101 : 195-202 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0002-8223(01)00052-9
  4. Armstrong D(2000) : A survey of community gardens in upstate New York: implications for health promotion and community development. Health and Place 6 : 319-327 https://doi.org/10.1016/S1353-8292(00)00013-7
  5. Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural America (ATTRA) (1995) : Publication Number 68383. ATTRA : Fayetteville, Arkansas
  6. Asami DK, Hong YJ, Barrett DM, Mitchell AE (2003) : Comparison of total phenolic and ascorbic acid content of freeze-dried and air-dried marionberry, strawberry, and corn using conventional, organic, and sustainable agricultural practices. J Agric Food Chem 51 : 1237-1241 https://doi.org/10.1021/jf020635c
  7. Ashman L, de la Vega J, Dohan M, Fisher A, Hippler R, Romain B, Gottlieb R, Sinsheimer P(1993) : Seeds of Change : Strategies for Food Security in the Inner City : The Community Food Security Coalition of the UCLA Graduate School of Architeeture and Urban Planning, Venice, California
  8. Baatrup E, Jnnge M (2002) : Antiandrogenic pesticides disrupt sexual characteristics in the adult male guppy(Poecilia reticulata). Environ Health Perspect 109(10) : 1063-1070 https://doi.org/10.2307/3454962
  9. Baldi I, Lilleul L, Mohammand-Brahim B, Fabriguole C, Dartigues JF, Schwall S, Drevet JP, Salamon R, Brochard P(2001) : Neurophysical effects of long-term exposure to pesticides : results from the French Phytoner Study. Environ Health Perspect 109(8) : 839-844 https://doi.org/10.2307/3454828
  10. Baxter GJ, Graham AB, Lawrence JR,WilesD, Paterson JR(2001) : Salicylic acid in soups prepared from organically and nonorganically grown vegetables. Eur J Nutr 40 : 289-292 https://doi.org/10.1007/s394-001-8358-x
  11. Blair D, Giesecke C, Sherman S(1991) : A dietary, social, and economic evaluation of the Philadelphia Urban Gardening Project. J Nutr Educ 23 : 161-167 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-3182(12)81191-5
  12. Block G, Patterson B, Subar A(1992) : Fruit, vegetables, and cancer prevention : a review of the epidemiological evidence. Nutr Cancer 18 : 1-29 https://doi.org/10.1080/01635589209514201
  13. Block Joy A, Bunch S, Davis M, Fujii J (2001) : USDA program stimulates interest in farmers' markets among low-income women. California Agriculture 55(3) : 38-41 https://doi.org/10.3733/ca.v055n03p38
  14. Brehm DA(2002) : Republic of Korea, Organic Products, Market Update 2002 : United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), GAIN Report KS 2068, Foreign Agricultural Service/ USDA, Washington DC
  15. Brooks C(1988) : Adult physical activity behavior: a trend analysis. J Clin Epidemiol 41 : 385-392 https://doi.org/10.1016/0895-4356(88)90146-1
  16. Carbonaro M, Mattera M, Nicoli S, Bergamo P, Cappelloni M(2002) : Modulation of antioxidant compounds in organic vs conventional fruit (peach, Prunus persica L., and pear, Pyrus communis L.) J Agric Food Chem 50 : 5458-5462 https://doi.org/10.1021/jf0202584
  17. Calvert GM, Mehler LN, Rosales R, Baum L, Thomsen C, Male D, Shafey O, Das R, Lackovic M, Arvizu E(2003) : Acute pesticide- related illnesses among working youths, 1988-1999. Am J Public Health 93 : 605-610 https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.93.4.605
  18. Caspersen CJ, Bloemberg BP, Saris WH, Merritt RK, Kromhout D(1991) : The prevalence of selected physical activities and their relation with coronary heart disease risk factors in elderly men: the Zutphen Study, 1985. Am Epidemiol 133 : 1078-1092 https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a115821
  19. Cohen NL, Cooley JP, Hall RB, Stoddard, AM(1997) : Community supported agriculture : A study of members' dietary patterns and food practices. In : Lockeretz W. Agricultural Production and Nutrition. Proceedings of an International Conference. pp.195-204. School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University. Medford, Massachusetts
  20. Cooper RL, Goodman JM, Stoker TE(1999) : Neuroendocrine and reproductive effects of comtemporary-use pesticides. Toxicology and Industrial Health 15 (1-2) : 26-36 https://doi.org/10.1177/074823379901500104
  21. Crespo CJ, Keteyian SJ, Heath GW, Sempos CT(1996) : Leisuretime physical activity among US adults, Results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Arch Intern Medicine 156 : 93-98 https://doi.org/10.1001/archinte.156.1.93
  22. Dannenberg AL, Keller JB, Wilson PW, Castelli WP(1989) : Leisure time physical activity in the Framingham Offspring Study. Am J Epidemiol 129(1) : 76-87 https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a115126
  23. Eskenazi B, Bradman A, Castorina R (1999) : Exposures of children to organophosphate pesticides and their potential adverse health effects. Environ Health Perspect 109, Supplement 3 : 409-419
  24. Festing H, Farmers' Markets(1999) : An American Success Story. Ecologic Books, Bath, UK
  25. Ford ES, Merritt RK, Heath GW, Powell KE, Washburn RA, Krista A, Haile G (1991) : Physical activity behaviors in lower and higher socioeconomic status populations. Am J Epidemiol 133(12) : 1246-1256 https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a115836
  26. Hardell L, Eriksson M(1999) : A case-control study of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and exposure to pesticides. Cancer 85 : 1353-1360 https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0142(19990315)85:6<1353::AID-CNCR19>3.0.CO;2-1
  27. Hayes T, Haston, K, Tsui M, Hoang A, Haeffele C, Vonk A (2002). Feminization of male frogs in the wild. Nature 419 : 895-896 https://doi.org/10.1038/419895a
  28. Heirnendinger J, Van Duyn MA(1995) : Dietary behavior change: the challenge of recasting the role of fruit and vegetables in the American diet. Am J Clin Nutr 61(6 Suppl) : 1397S-1401S https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/61.6.1397S
  29. Hilchey D, Lyson T, Gillespie G(1995) : Farmers' Markets and Rural Economic Development. Farming Alternatives Program, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
  30. Fisher A(1992) : Hot Peppers & Parking Lot Peaches: Evaluating Farmers' Markets in Low Income Communities. Community Food Security Coalition, Venice, California
  31. Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (FACTA) , Public Law 101-624, Title XVI, Subtitle A, Section 1603(1990). Government Printing Office, Washington DC
  32. Frankel E.N, Waterhouse AL, Kinsella JE(1993) : Inhibition of human LDL oxidation by resveratrol. Lancet 341: 1103-1104
  33. Garry, VF, Harkins ME, Erickson LL, Long-Simpson, LK, Holland SE, Burroughs, BL(2002) : Birth defects, season of conception, and sex of children born to pesticide applicators living in the Red River Valley of Minnesota, USA. Environ Health Perspect 110(suppI 3) : 441-449 https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.02110s3441
  34. Greene C, Kremen A (2003) : U.S.Organic Farming in 2000-2001 : Adoption of Certified Systems. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, Resource Economics Division, Agriculture Bulletin No. 780, Washington DC
  35. Gussow JD(2001) : This Organic Life : Confessions of a Suburban Homesteader. Chelsea Green Publishing, Vermont
  36. Gussow JD, Clancy K(1986) : Dietary guidelines for sustainability. J Nutr Educ 18: 1-15 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-3182(86)80255-2
  37. Hertog M, Feskens EJM, Hollman PCH, Katan MB, Kromhout D(1993a) : Dietary antioxidant flavonoids and risk of coronary heart disease : the Zutphen elderly study.Lancet 342 : 1007-1011 https://doi.org/10.1016/0140-6736(93)92876-U
  38. Hertog M, Hollman PCH, Katan MB, Kromhut D(1993b) : Intake of potentially anticarcinogenic flavonoids and their determinants in adults in The Netherlands. Nutr Cancer 20 : 21-29 https://doi.org/10.1080/01635589309514267
  39. Howard A(1940) : An Agricultural Testament. Oxford University Press, London
  40. Johnson DB, Beaudoin S, Smith LT, Beresford SAA, LoGerfo JP(2004) : Increasing fruit and vegetable intake in homebound elders : the Seattle Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Pilot Program. Preventing Chronic Disease [serial online] . Available from URL :http://wwww.cdc.gov/pcdlissuesl2004/janljohnson.htm
  41. Kelder SH, Perry CL, Klepp K, Lytle L(1994) : Longitudinal tracking of adolescent smoking, physical activity, and food choice behaviors. Am J Public Health 8(7) : 1121-1126
  42. King FH(1927) : Farmers of Forty Centuries. J Cape, London
  43. Klotz JCV Steiner J(2001) : Improving and Facilitating a Farmers Market in a Low Income Urban Neighborhood : A Washington, DC, Case Study. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, Washington DC
  44. Koch SE(2001). The Effects of Nutrition Education on Attitudes and Behaviors of Children Regarding Fruits and Vegetables. College Station, Texas : Texas A&M University [unpublished Master's Thesis]
  45. Krebs-Smith SM, Cook A, Subar AF, Cleveland L, Friday J, Kahle LL(1996) : Fruit and vegetable intake of children and adolescents in the United States. Arch Pediatr Adoles Med 50 : 81-86
  46. Kunkel ME, Luccia B, Moore AC(2003) : Evaluation of the South Carolina Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Education Program. J Am Diet Assoc 103 : 880-883 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0002-8223(03)00379-1
  47. Lampkin N(2002) : Development of policies for agriculture, UK Organic Research 2002 : Proceedings of the COR Conference, 26-28 March 2002, pp.321-24, University of Wales, Aberystwyth
  48. Macheix JJ, Fleuriet A, Billot J(1990) : Changes in metabolism of phenolic compounds in fruits. In : Macheix JJ, Fleuriet A, Billot J, eds. Fruit Phenolics, 1st ed. pp.149-221. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida
  49. Magkos F, Arvaniti F, Zampelas A(2003) : Organic food : nutritious food or food for thought? A review of the evidence. Int J Food Sci Nutr 54(5) : 357-371 https://doi.org/10.1080/09637480120092071
  50. Morris J, Zidenberg-Cherr S (2002) : Garden-enhanced nutrition curriculum improves fourth-grade school children's knowledge of nutrition and preference for some vegetables. J Am Diet Assoc 102 : 24-30
  51. Padgitt S, Petrzelka P(1994) : Making sustainable agriculture the new conventional agriculture : social change and sustainability, In : Hartfield JL, Karlen DL, eds. Sustainable Agriculture Systems, pp.261-286. Lewis Publishers Inc, Boca Raton, Florida
  52. Position of the American Dietetic Association, Society for Nutrition Education, and American School Food Service Association(2003) : Nutrition services : An essential part of comprehensive school health programs. J Am Diet Assoc 103 : 505-514 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0002-8223(03)00163-9
  53. Reganold JP, Glover JD, Andrews PK, Hinman HR(2001) : Sustainability of three apple production systems. Nature 410 : 926-930 https://doi.org/10.1038/35073574
  54. Rein D, Paglieroni TG, Wun T, Pearson DA, Schmitz HH, Gosselin R, Keen CL(2000) : Cocoa inhibits platelet activation and function. Am J Clin Nutr 72 : 30-35 https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/72.1.30
  55. Rice-Evans CA, Miller NJ, Paganga G(1996) : Structure-antioxidant activity relationships of flavonoids and phenolic acids. Free Radical Biol Med 20 : 933-956 https://doi.org/10.1016/0891-5849(95)02227-9
  56. Savoie KA (1998) : Growing Good Nutrition: EFNEP Improves Dietary Behavior Through Gardening. University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Orono, Maine
  57. Schreinernachers DM (2003) : Birth malformations and other adverse perinatal outcomes in four U.S. wheat-producing states. Environ Health Perspect 111 : 1259-1264 https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.5830
  58. Slama J (2002) : The Land of Organic Opportunity : Steps to Building a Regional Organic Food System Serving Chicago. Sustain : Chicago, Illinois. Available at : http://www.sustainusa.org/ localorganic
  59. Storper B (2003) : Moving toward healthful sustainable diets. NutrvToday 38 (2) : 57-59
  60. Sugerman SB, Fourney AM, Gregson J, Foerster SB, Hudes M, Oppen M, Thompson C(2003) : Using gardening to increase fruit and vegetable intake : a collection of evidence. In : Proceedings of the 17th National Conference on Chronic Disease Prevention and Control, Gateway to Lifelong Health : The Community Connection. p.5. St. Louis, Missouri
  61. Terry P, Terry JB, Wolk A (2001) : Fruit and vegetable consumption in the prevention of cancer: an update. J Intern Med 250 (4) : 280-290 https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2796.2001.00886.x
  62. Twiss J, Dickinson J, Duma S, Kleinman T, Paulsen H, Rilveria L(2003) : Community gardens: lessons learned from California Healthy Cities and Communities. Am J Public Health 93 (9) : 1435-1438 https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.93.9.1435
  63. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) (1996) : WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program. Consolidated Regulations : Food and Nutrition Service 7 (CFR) 11 : 304-316
  64. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) (2003) : Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. Available at : http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/SeniorFMNP/SFMNPFY03.htm
  65. Wattenberg LW, Coccia JB, Lam LKT(1980) : Inhibitory effects of phenolic compounds on bezo(a) pyrene-induced neoplasia. Cancer Res 40 : 2820-2823
  66. Waterhouse AL, Walzem RL(1998) : Nutrition of grape phenolics. In : Rice-Evans CA, Packer L, eds. Flavonoids in Health and Disease, pp.359-385. Decker, New York
  67. Worthington V (2001) : Nutritional quality of organic versus conventional fruits, vegetables, and grains. J Altern Complement Med 7: 161-173 https://doi.org/10.1089/107555301750164244
  68. Yussefi M, Willer H(2003) : The World of Organic Agriculture 2003 - Statistics and Future Prospects. International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), Tholey-Theley. Available at : http://www.ifoam.org
  69. Yusuf HR, Croft JB, Giles WH, Anda RF, Casper ML, Caspersen CJ, Jones, DA (1996) : Leisure-time physical activity among older adults, United States, 1990. Arch Intern Medicine 156 : 1321-1326 https://doi.org/10.1001/archinte.156.12.1321