Children who live closer to green spaces have much stronger bones, which could have long-term health benefits.
Bone Strength
In a first study of its kind published in JAMA Network Open, the researchers discovered that kids who lived in locations with 20-25% more natural areas had stronger bones, which was the equivalent of half a year's development in natural growth.
Scientists used ultrasound to evaluate the bone density of children aged four to six years old.
The child's age, weight, height, ethnicity, and mother's degree of education were all considered.
Children who had 25% more green space within 1,000 meters of their home, for example, had a 66% decreased probability of having very poor bone density, i.e., being in the bottom 10% of measurements. In the study, there was no difference between the boys and the girls.
This also showed that these kids had a roughly 65% decreased chance of developing extremely low bone density.
Screen time, vitamin supplements, and daily dairy consumption were all investigated to see if they altered the children's outcomes, but no significant differences were discovered.
According to the researchers, the findings are significant since inadequate bone growth at a young age is just as critical in the development of osteoporosis as bone loss with age.
Bone strength increases during childhood and adolescence, reaches a plateau around age 50, and then starts to decline. Thus, the researchers hypothesized that making green spaces larger and more accessible to kids could help older adults avoid osteoporosis and fractures.
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Physically Active
Children that live near parks tend to be more physically active, which promotes bone formation, which may account for the association between green areas and stronger bones.
The strongest correlation was found in green areas with trees, which the scientists hypothesized may be related to the fact that these locations were more appealing to tourists.
An expert said the stronger the bone mass is during childhood, the more capacity you have for later in life.
"So the real public health message from this study is that urban planners can make stronger bones of children, and that has long-lasting consequences," said Prof Tim Nawrot, at Hasselt University in Belgium.
More access to green spaces has been linked to increased physical activity in youngsters, according to prior studies. Numerous advantages for child development have also been shown in studies; these advantages include a decreased chance of obesity, lowered blood pressure, higher IQs, and improved mental and emotional health.
Adults who live in green environments also tend to have better physical and mental health. It is estimated that woodland walks save the UK £185 million annually in mental health expenses.
Two recent studies on bone density in adults and green spaces yielded inconsistent results. An analysis of 66,000 people in southwest China discovered a significant positive connection.
However, a study of 4,000 people aged 65 and older in Hong Kong found no clear association, presumably due to the city's crowded population and lack of natural space.
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