A Naturalistic Study of Residents of an Agriculturally Integrated Community

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the impact of living in an agriculturally integrated community, called an agrihood, on healthy eating, physical activity, cardiometabolic health, and social connectedness. This natural experiment compares residents of the new Indigo Neighborhood, an agrihood, with those of a similar non-agrihood neighborhood called Elyson, both located in Fort Bend County, Texas. The study aims to understand changes in lifestyle and health outcomes over time. Participants are grouped based on their residence: the Agrihood Group includes adults living in or moving to the Indigo Neighborhood, while the Comparison Group includes adults living in the Elyson Neighborhood. Pregnant women may participate in either group if they meet residency criteria. The study uses a mixed-methods approach over several months to observe natural behaviors and preferences related to community features. Participants will be followed over a period of at least six months with assessments at baseline, three months, and six months. Researchers will measure changes in healthy eating habits, physical activity levels, body mass index, blood pressure, blood sugar control (hemoglobin A1c), and social connectedness. Additional outcomes include changes in diet quality, stress, community cohesion, and use of local food and physical activity resources. The study involves surveys, physical measurements, and data collection to assess health and lifestyle changes without altering participants' usual activities.

The Neighborhood & Health Study