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Green space better for kids’ waistlines, health
Oct. 28, 2008
Courtesy Indiana University
and World Science staff
In an era of rampant
obesity that has raised concerns over youth health in particular, researchers have found that for poor children, living in “greener” neighborhoods is linked to slower weight gain. Researchers have found that for poor children, living in “greener” neighborhoods is linked to slower weight gain.
(Image courtesy City of Las Vegas, Nev.)
The findings come from a study billed as the first to examine the effect of neighborhood parks and other leafy areas on inner city children’s weight over time.
Past studies have offered “snapshots in time” showing effects similar to
this one, said Gilbert Liu, senior author of the new research in the December issue of the
American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
“Our new study of over 3,800 inner city children revealed that living in areas with green space has a long term positive impact on children’s weight and thus health,” added Liu, of the Indiana University School of Medicine.
The study followed children ages 3 to 18 over two years. Higher neighborhood greenness was associated with slower increases in body mass index—a standard measure of weight excess or deficiency—regardless of age, race, sex or residential density, scientists said. The children in the study were mainly African-American and publicly insured.
The researchers used satellite images to measure greenness, which wasn’t simply defined as parks. “Our research team adapted methods, originally developed for agricultur and forestry research, to estimate greenness,” said research group member Jeffrey S. Wilson of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.
“These measures are affected by all forms of vegetation that are visible to the satellite and take into consideration not only how much vegetation is present, but how healthy that vegetation is.” Trees and other urban vegetation improve aesthetics, reduce pollution and keep things cooler, making the outside a more attractive place to play, walk or run, scientists noted.
Childhood obesity is associated with a variety of health problems including type 2 diabetes, asthma, hypertension, sleep apnea and emotional distress. Over the past 30 years, obesity has doubled in children age 2 to 5 and age 12 to 19 years and has tripled in children between 6 and 11 years of age, according to the U.S. Institute of Medicine.
Obese child are likely to be obese as adults increasing risk for cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, stroke and higher health care costs. “Obesity is a national epidemic,” said Liu, a pediatrician. “Our lifestyle makes us sedentary and less healthy. For children, physical activity is active play and that usually take place outdoors. We need to encourage them to go outside and play.”
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Amid an obesity epidemic that has raised concerns about children’s health in particular, researchers have found that for poor children, living in “greener” neighborhoods is linked to slower weight gain. The findings come from a study billed as the first to examine the effect of neighborhood parks and other leafy areas on inner city children’s weight over time. Past studies have “provided snap shots in time” showing effects similar to the new one, said Gilbert Liu, senior author of the new research in the December issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. “Our new study of over 3,800 inner city children revealed that living in areas with green space has a long term positive impact on children’s weight and thus health,” added Liu, of the Indiana University School of Medicine. The study followed children ages 3 to 18 over two years. Higher neighborhood greenness was associated with slower increases in body mass index—a standard measure of weight excess or deficiency—regardless of age, race, sex or residential density, scientists said. The children in the study were mainly African-American and publically insured. The researchers used satellite images to measure greenness, which wasn’t simply defined as parks. “Our research team adapted methods, originally developed for agricultural and forestry research, to estimate greenness,” said research group member Jeffrey S. Wilson of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. “These measures are affected by all forms of vegetation that are visible to the satellite and take into consideration not only how much vegetation is present, but how healthy that vegetation is.” Trees and other urban vegetation improve aesthetics, reduce pollution and keep things cooler, making the outside a more attractive place to play, walk or run, scientists noted. Childhood obesity is associated with a variety of health problems including type 2 diabetes, asthma, hypertension, sleep apnea and emotional distress. Over the past 30 years, obesity has doubled in children age 2 to 5 and age 12 to 19 years and has tripled in children between 6 and 11 years of age, according to the U.S. Institute of Medicine. Obese child are likely to be obese as adults increasing risk for cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, stroke and higher health care costs. “Obesity is a national epidemic,” said Liu, a pediatrician. “Our lifestyle makes us sedentary and less healthy. For children, physical activity is active play and that usually take place outdoors. We need to encourage them to go outside and play.”