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Chen TJ, Dong B, Dong Y, Li J, Ma Y, Liu D, Zhang Y, Xing Y, Zheng Y, Luo X, Tao F, Ding Y, Hu P, Zou Z, Pan B, Tang P, Luo D, Liu Y, Li L, Li GN, Tian X, Huang X, Song Y, Ma J, Sawyer SM. Matching actions to needs: shifting policy responses to the changing health needs of Chinese children and adolescents. Lancet 2024; 403:1808-1820. [PMID: 38643776 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(23)02894-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
China is home to the second largest population of children and adolescents in the world. Yet demographic shifts mean that the government must manage the challenge of fewer children with the needs of an ageing population, while considering the delicate tension between economic growth and environmental sustainability. We mapped the health problems and risks of contemporary school-aged children and adolescents in China against current national health policies. We involved multidisciplinary experts, including young people, with the aim of identifying actionable strategies and specific recommendations to promote child and adolescent health and wellbeing. Notwithstanding major improvements in their health over the past few decades, contemporary Chinese children and adolescents face distinct social challenges, including high academic pressures and youth unemployment, and new health concerns including obesity, mental health issues, and sexually transmitted infections. Inequality by gender, geography, and ethnicity remains a feature of health risks and outcomes. We identified a mismatch between current health determinants, risks and outcomes, and government policies. To promote the health of children and adolescents in China, we recommend a set of strategies that target government-led initiatives across the health, education, and community sectors, which aim to build supportive and responsive families, safe communities, and engaging and respectful learning environments. TRANSLATION: For the Chinese translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian-Jiao Chen
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Dong
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yanhui Dong
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Li
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yinghua Ma
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Dongshan Liu
- National Center for Occupational Safety and Health, Beijing, China
| | - Yuhui Zhang
- China National Health Development Research Center, Beijing, China; Health Commission of Hainan Province, Haikou, China
| | - Yi Xing
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Zheng
- Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaomin Luo
- National Center for Women and Children's Health, China Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Fangbiao Tao
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yanqing Ding
- Department of Education Economics and Management, Graduate School of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Peijin Hu
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiyong Zou
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Bailin Pan
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ping Tang
- Chongqing Municipal Health Care Center for Primary and Secondary Schools, Chongqing, China
| | - Dongmei Luo
- Centre for Adolescent Health, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Yunfei Liu
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Luo Li
- Centre for Adolescent Health, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Geffrey Nan Li
- Child Health and Development, UNICEF China, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaobo Tian
- Child Health and Development, UNICEF China, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaona Huang
- Child Health and Development, UNICEF China, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Song
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Jun Ma
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Susan M Sawyer
- Centre for Adolescent Health, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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Cartanyà-Hueso À, de Celis Alonso B, Hidalgo Tobón SS, Miranda Lora AL, Klünder Klünder M, López Martínez B, Dies Suárez P, Barragán Pérez E, So PW, Delgado-Saborit JM. Cross-sectional evaluation of the association between greenness and cognitive performance in Mexican pre-pubertal boys. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 237:116968. [PMID: 37625541 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence shows that greenspace exposure benefits children's health and cognitive development. However, evidence assessing this association in young children in low- and middle-income economies is scarce. OBJECTIVE To assess the association between exposure to greenness and cognitive performance in pre-pubertal boys living in Mexico City. METHODS Cross-sectional study using data from 144 boys aged 6-11 years living in Mexico City in 2017 and enrolled in the "MetCog" study. Cognitive performance was evaluated through selected Wechsler Scale for Intelligence in Children Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) and Neuropsychological Assessment of Children (Evaluación Neuropsicológica Infantil, ENI) tests. Exposure to greenness was assessed through Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) at 300, 500, 1500, 2000, and 3000 m buffer zones from children's residences. Multiple linear regression analysis was undertaken to assess associations between cognitive performance and greenness (aβ) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and adjusted for potential confounding variables. Significance was set at q < 0.05 after False Discovery Rate (FDR) correction. RESULTS A positive association was found between the NDVI Interquartile Range (IQR) at 2000 m and the WISC-IV block design test score (aβ 2000 = 1.18, 95% CI = 0.31, 2.06; q < 0.05), which assesses perceptual reasoning. Positive associations were found with NDVI IQR at 1500 m and WISC-IV block design (aβ1500 = 1.00, 95% CI = 0.14, 1.86) and matrix reasoning (aβ1500 = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.06, 1.61) scores, but neither survived FDR correction. No significant associations were found between NDVI IQR at any buffer size with other WISC-IV and ENI task scores. CONCLUSIONS Greater exposure to greenness was associated with higher perceptual reasoning skills in 144 pre-pubertal boys living in Mexico City. Thus, urban planning should consider increasing vegetation in megacities, especially in neighbourhoods with high percentages of young children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Àurea Cartanyà-Hueso
- Group of Perinatal Epidemiology, Environmental Health, and Clinical Research, Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Av. Vicent Sos Baynat, s/n 12071 Castelló de La Plana, Spain
| | - Benito de Celis Alonso
- Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
| | - Silvia Sandra Hidalgo Tobón
- Departamento de Imagenología, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City Mexico; Departamento de Física de La Universidad Autónoma de México Iztapalapa, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - América Liliana Miranda Lora
- Unidad de Investigación Epidemiológica en Endocrinología y Nutrición, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, CDMX, Mexico
| | - Miguel Klünder Klünder
- Subdirección de Investigación, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Briceida López Martínez
- Subdirección de Servicios Auxiliares de Diagnóstico, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, CDMX, Mexico
| | - Pilar Dies Suárez
- Departamento de Imagenología, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City Mexico
| | - Eduardo Barragán Pérez
- Departamento de Neurología, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Po-Wah So
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom.
| | - Juana Maria Delgado-Saborit
- Group of Perinatal Epidemiology, Environmental Health, and Clinical Research, Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Av. Vicent Sos Baynat, s/n 12071 Castelló de La Plana, Spain.
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Adewuyi FA, Knobel P, Gogna P, Dadvand P. Health effects of green prescription: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 236:116844. [PMID: 37574099 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
An increasing number of studies have examined the effects of green prescription on various health outcomes. The aim of this study was to systematically review published randomized controlled trial studies on the health benefits of green prescriptions. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for the relevant original articles published in English until June 30, 2023. Our search initially retrieved 26176 articles, of which 31 studies were included in our review after removing the duplicates and excluding ineligible articles based on their titles, abstracts, and full-text review. Consistent positive health benefits of green prescription were reported for psychological health and wellbeing (16 out of 24 studies), cardiometabolic health (five out of nine studies), physical activity (eight out of nine studies), and inflammation (two out of two studies). The reviewed studies did not report any significant benefits in orthopedic conditions, pain, and recovery from exhaustion disorder due to their implemented green prescriptions; however, the number of studies was too small to generalize the effect of green prescriptions on these outcomes. The quality of these studies was generally acceptable, with 28 studies having some concerns regarding their overall risk of bias and only three studies with a high risk of bias. All in all, this systematic review suggests that green prescriptions can be effective in improving various health outcomes, but further studies with larger sample sizes and objective measures are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatai A Adewuyi
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pablo Knobel
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Priyanka Gogna
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Payam Dadvand
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain
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Dzhambov AM, Lercher P, Vincens N, Persson Waye K, Klatte M, Leist L, Lachmann T, Schreckenberg D, Belke C, Ristovska G, Kanninen KM, Botteldooren D, Van Renterghem T, Jeram S, Selander J, Arat A, White K, Julvez J, Clark C, Foraster M, van Kamp I. Protective effect of restorative possibilities on cognitive function and mental health in children and adolescents: A scoping review including the role of physical activity. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 233:116452. [PMID: 37339694 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Background The exposome approach can be a powerful tool for understanding the intertwining of social, physical, and internal influences that shape mental health and cognitive development throughout childhood. To distil conceptual models for subsequent analyses, the EU-funded project Early Environmental quality and Life-course mental health effects (Equal-Life) has conducted literature reviews on potential mediators linking the exposome to these outcomes. We report on a scoping review and a conceptual model of the role of restorative possibilities and physical activity. Methods Peer-reviewed studies published since the year 2000 in English, on the association between the exposome and mental health/cognition in children/adolescents, and quantitatively investigating restoration/restorative quality as a mediating variable were considered. Database searches were last updated in December 2022. We used an unstructured expert-driven approach to fill in gaps in the reviewed literature. Results Five records of three distinct studies were identified, indicating a scarcity of empirical evidence in this newly developing research area. Not only were these studies few in numbers, but also cross-sectional, lending only tentative support to the idea that perceived restorative quality of adolescent's living environment might mediate the association between greenspace and mental health. Physical activity emerged as a mediator leading to better psychological outcomes in restorative environments. We provide a critical discussion of potential caveats when investigating the restoration mechanism in children and propose a hierarchical model including restoration, physical activity, and relational dynamics between children and their environment, including social context, as well as restorative environments other than nature. Conclusions It is justified to further explore the role of restoration and physical activity as mediators in the association between early-life exposome and mental health/cognitive development. It is important to consider the child perspective and specific methodological caveats. Given the evolving conceptual definitions/operationalizations, Equal-Life will attempt to fill in a critical gap in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel M Dzhambov
- Department of Hygiene, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria; Institute of Highway Engineering and Transport Planning, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria; Research Group "Health and Quality of Life in a Green and Sustainable Environment", SRIPD, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
| | - Peter Lercher
- Institute of Highway Engineering and Transport Planning, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
| | - Natalia Vincens
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Kerstin Persson Waye
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Maria Klatte
- Cognitive and Developmental Psychology, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Larisa Leist
- Cognitive and Developmental Psychology, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Thomas Lachmann
- Cognitive and Developmental Psychology, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, Kaiserslautern, Germany; Centro de Investigación Nebrija en Cognición, Facultad de Lenguas y Educacion, Universidad Nebrija, Madrid, Spain
| | - Dirk Schreckenberg
- Centre for Applied Psychology, Environmental and Social Research (ZEUS GmbH), Hagen, Germany
| | - Christin Belke
- Centre for Applied Psychology, Environmental and Social Research (ZEUS GmbH), Hagen, Germany
| | - Gordana Ristovska
- Institute of Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia, Skopje, Macedonia
| | - Katja M Kanninen
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Dick Botteldooren
- Department of Information Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Timothy Van Renterghem
- Department of Information Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sonja Jeram
- National Institute of Public Health, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jenny Selander
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Arzu Arat
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kim White
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Netherlands
| | - Jordi Julvez
- Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), Clinical and Epidemiological Neuroscience Group (NeuroÈpia), Reus, Spain; ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Charlotte Clark
- Population Health Research Institute, St George's University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Foraster
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBEREsp), Spain; PHAGEX Research Group, Blanquerna School of Health Science, Universitat Ramon Llull (URL), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irene van Kamp
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Netherlands
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Besser LM, Jimenez MP, Reimer CJ, Meyer OL, Mitsova D, George KM, Adkins-Jackson PB, Galvin JE. Diversity of Studies on Neighborhood Greenspace and Brain Health by Racialized/Ethnic Group and Geographic Region: A Rapid Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:5666. [PMID: 37174185 PMCID: PMC10178609 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20095666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Studies examining associations between greenspace and Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD) outcomes are rapidly on the rise, yet no known literature reviews have summarized the racialized/ethnic group and geographic variation of those published studies. This is a significant gap given the known disparities in both greenspace access and ADRD risk between racialized/ethnic groups and between developed versus developing countries. In this rapid literature review, we (1) describe the diversity of published greenspace-brain health studies with respect to racialized/ethnic groups and geographic regions; (2) determine the extent to which published studies have investigated racialized/ethnic group differences in associations; and (3) review methodological issues surrounding studies of racialized/ethnic group disparities in greenspace and brain health associations. Of the 57 papers meeting our inclusion criteria as of 4 March 2022, 21% (n = 12) explicitly identified and included individuals who were Black, Hispanic/Latinx, and/or Asian. Twenty-one percent of studies (n = 12) were conducted in developing countries (e.g., China, Dominican Republic, Mexico), and 7% (n = 4) examined racialized/ethnic group differences in greenspace-brain health associations. None of the studies were framed by health disparities, social/structural determinants of health, or related frameworks, despite the known differences in both greenspace availability/quality and dementia risk by racialized/ethnic group and geography. Studies are needed in developing countries and that directly investigate racialized/ethnic group disparities in greenspace-brain health associations to target and promote health equity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilah M. Besser
- Comprehensive Center for Brain Health, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33433, USA
| | - Marcia Pescador Jimenez
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Cameron J. Reimer
- Department of Earth & Environment, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Oanh L. Meyer
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Diana Mitsova
- School of Urban and Regional Planning, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA
| | - Kristen M. George
- Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA
| | - Paris B. Adkins-Jackson
- Departments of Epidemiology and Sociomedical Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - James E. Galvin
- Comprehensive Center for Brain Health, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33433, USA
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Buczyłowska D, Zhao T, Singh N, Jurczak A, Siry A, Markevych I. Exposure to greenspace and bluespace and cognitive functioning in children - A systematic review. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 222:115340. [PMID: 36731600 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The field of greenspace and bluespace research in relation to cognitive outcomes is rapidly growing. Several systematic reviews have already been published on this topic but none of them are specific to cognitive outcomes in the entire age range of children. Moreover, only a few of them have examined the effects of bluespace in addition to greenspace. Also, theses reviews are focused either only on observational studies or experimental studies. Our systematic review focuses on cognitive outcomes in relation to greenspace and bluespace in children and adolescents aged 0-18; it captures both observational and experimental studies. Cognitive outcomes are presented according to an evidence-based taxonomy of human cognitive abilities: the Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) theory. METHODS We conducted searches in the PubMed and PsychInfo databases, from their inception dates to 17 December 2021. We used three-text terms related to outcome, exposure, and population as well as MeSH terms for outcome and population. Further, the reference lists and existing reviews were searched ("snowball" search) until 21 April 2022 to detect additional studies. For the results reporting, we followed the updated guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta Analyses (PRISMA). We included observational and experimental studies on greenspace or bluespace exposure in relation to cognitive functioning, published in English, German, or Polish. Two reviewers independently checked study eligibility and extracted data. Two reviewers evaluated the risk of bias according to the Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) tool. At all stages, discrepancies between the two reviewers were solved via discussion with a third reviewer. RESULTS Records identified from PubMed (n = 2030) and PsycINFO (n = 1168) were deduplicated and screened. Twenty one reports were first selected. The "snowball" search revealed 16 additional reports. Altogether, 39 studies (17 experimental and 22 observational) published in 37 reports were qualified. The data extraction showed that the methodology used in the studies was heterogenous and the findings were inconsistent. The majority of the studies investigated attentional functioning, which we subdivided into two categories according to the CHC theory: attentional control and reaction and decision speed (12 studies) and attentional control and processing speed (10 studies). Eleven studies investigated working memory and/or short-term memory that we categorized as CHC working memory capacity. Nine studies investigated intellectual functioning, which we categorized as CHC general ability, fluid reasoning, and comprehension-knowledge. Two studies investigated visual-spatial skills, which we categorized as CHC visual processing and psychomotor speed. One study measured parent-reported attention; two studies examined early childhood/cognitive development; three studies examined decision-making and self-regulation, which can be categorized as several CHC theory abilities. DISCUSSION The heterogeneity of the included studies does not permit clear conclusions for our review. In accordance with previous systematic reviews, greenspace and bluespace were not more strongly related to a particular domain of cognitive functioning than other cognitive domains, and no effects of age or type of exposure assessment on the association between nature and cognition were detected. Further research is needed, including state-of-the-art of assessment of cognitive outcomes and diverse exposure assessment methods within both observational and experimental approaches. Expertise will be required in several domains, such as environmental epidemiology, cognitive psychology, and neuropsychology. Systematic review registration number (INPLASY): 202220018.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tianyu Zhao
- Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, LMU University Hospital Munich, Munich, Germany; Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Nitika Singh
- Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Jurczak
- Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland; Institute of Public Health, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Siry
- Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Iana Markevych
- Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
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Figaroa MNS, Gielen M, Casas L, Loos RJF, Derom C, Weyers S, Nawrot TS, Zeegers MP, Bijnens EM. Early-life residential green spaces and traffic exposure in association with young adult body composition: a longitudinal birth cohort study of twins. Environ Health 2023; 22:18. [PMID: 36800959 PMCID: PMC9936720 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-023-00964-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Globally, the rapid increase of obesity is reaching alarming proportions. A new approach to reduce obesity and its comorbidities involves tackling the built environment. Environmental influences seem to play an important role, but the environmental influences in early life on adult body composition have not been thoroughly investigated. This study seeks to fill the research gap by examining early-life exposure to residential green spaces and traffic exposure in association with body composition among a population of young adult twins. METHODS As part of the East Flanders Prospective Twin Survey (EFPTS) cohort, this study included 332 twins. Residential addresses of the mothers at time of birth of the twins were geocoded to determine residential green spaces and traffic exposure. To capture body composition, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist circumference, skinfold thickness, leptin levels, and fat percentage were measured at adult age. Linear mixed modelling analyses were conducted to investigate early-life environmental exposures in association with body composition, while accounting for potential confounders. In addition, moderator effects of zygosity/chorionicity, sex and socio-economic status were tested. RESULTS Each interquartile range (IQR) increase in distance to highway was found associated with an increase of 1.2% in WHR (95%CI 0.2-2.2%). For landcover of green spaces, each IQR increase was associated with 0.8% increase in WHR (95%CI 0.4-1.3%), 1.4% increase in waist circumference (95%CI 0.5-2.2%), and 2.3% increase in body fat (95%CI 0.2-4.4%). Stratified analyses by zygosity/chorionicity type indicated that in monozygotic monochorionic twins, each IQR increase in land cover of green spaces was associated with 1.3% increase in WHR (95%CI 0.5-2.1%). In monozygotic dichorionic twins, each IQR increase in land cover of green spaces was associated with 1.4% increase in waist-circumference (95%CI 0.6-2.2%). CONCLUSIONS The built environment in which mothers reside during pregnancy might play a role on body composition among young adult twins. Our study revealed that based on zygosity/chorionicity type differential effects of prenatal exposure to green spaces on body composition at adult age might exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- M N S Figaroa
- Department of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - M Gielen
- Department of Epidemiology, NUTRIM School for Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200, MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - L Casas
- Social Epidemiology and Health Policy, Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Institute for Environment and Sustainable Development (IMDO), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - R J F Loos
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - C Derom
- Department of Human Structure and Repair, University Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - S Weyers
- Department of Human Structure and Repair, University Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - T S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - M P Zeegers
- Department of Epidemiology, NUTRIM School for Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200, MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - E M Bijnens
- Department of Human Structure and Repair, University Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Open University, Heerlen, The Netherlands
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Ye T, Guo Y, Abramson MJ, Li T, Li S. Greenspace and children's lung function in China: A cross-sectional study between 2013 and 2015. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 858:159952. [PMID: 36336037 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to investigate how surrounding greenspace density and proximity were associated with children's lung function. Between 2013 and 2015, spirometry and a parental survey were performed with children from four primary schools in two Chinese cities. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1, L), forced vital capacity (FVC, L), peak expiratory flow rate (PEF, L/s), and forced expiratory flow at 25 % (FEF25, L/s) and 75 % (FEF75, L/s) of FVC were measured. Outdoor surrounding greenspace index incorporated residential, school and commuting greenness and was weighted using assumed daytime hours spent at home and school. Residential proximity to greenspace index was defined as walking distance to nearest park. A total of 913 children (48.7 % female) were included. Overall, an interquartile range (IQR) increase in outdoor surrounding greenspace was associated with decreased FVC (0.06 L, 95%CI 0.01-0.11), but increased FEV1/FVC (2.03, 1.13-3.04), PEF (0.26 L/s, 0.13-0.39), and FEF25 (0.30 L/s, 0.17-0.42). Residential proximity to greenspace was associated with increased FEV1 (0.05 L, 0.02-0.08) and FVC (0.04 L, 0.01-0.07) per IQR decrease in distance. Protective effect was significant for children whose parents were less educated and those living in higher road density areas, though interactions were not significant. Structural equation modeling showed that higher level of surrounding greenspace was associated with lower ambient air pollution and in turn with better lung function. Greenspace density and proximity could influence children's lung function differently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Ye
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Yuming Guo
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Michael J Abramson
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Tiantian Li
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Shanshan Li
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia.
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9
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Lahdenperä M, Galante L, Gonzales-Inca C, Vahtera J, Pentti J, Rautava S, Käyhkö N, Yonemitsu C, Gupta J, Bode L, Lagström H. Residential green environments are associated with human milk oligosaccharide diversity and composition. Sci Rep 2023; 13:216. [PMID: 36604578 PMCID: PMC9816313 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-27317-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Increased exposure to greener environments has been suggested to lead to health benefits in children, but the associated mechanisms in early life, particularly via biological mediators such as altered maternal milk composition, remain largely unexplored. We investigated the associations between properties of the mother's residential green environment, measured as (1) greenness (Normalized Difference Vegetation index, NDVI), (2) Vegetation Cover Diversity (VCDI) and (3) Naturalness Index (NI), and human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), known for their immune- and microbiota-related health effects on the infant (N = 795 mothers). We show that HMO diversity increases and concentrations of several individual HMOs and HMO groups change with increased VCDI and NI in residential green environments. This suggests that variation in residential green environments may influence the infant via maternal milk through modified HMO composition. The results emphasize the mediating role of breastfeeding between the residential green environments and health in early life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirkka Lahdenperä
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. .,Department of Public Health, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland. .,Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
| | - Laura Galante
- grid.1374.10000 0001 2097 1371Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland ,grid.1374.10000 0001 2097 1371Department of Public Health, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland ,grid.1374.10000 0001 2097 1371Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland ,grid.4827.90000 0001 0658 8800School of Health and Social Care, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP UK
| | - Carlos Gonzales-Inca
- grid.1374.10000 0001 2097 1371Department of Geography and Geology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Jussi Vahtera
- grid.1374.10000 0001 2097 1371Department of Public Health, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland ,grid.1374.10000 0001 2097 1371Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Jaana Pentti
- grid.1374.10000 0001 2097 1371Department of Public Health, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland ,grid.1374.10000 0001 2097 1371Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland ,grid.7737.40000 0004 0410 2071Clinicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Samuli Rautava
- grid.1374.10000 0001 2097 1371Department of Pediatrics, University of Turku, Turku, Finland ,grid.7737.40000 0004 0410 2071Children’s Hospital, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Niina Käyhkö
- grid.1374.10000 0001 2097 1371Department of Geography and Geology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Chloe Yonemitsu
- grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Department of Pediatrics and Larsson-Rosenquist Foundation Mother-Milk-Infant Center of Research Excellence (MOMI CORE), University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Julia Gupta
- grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Department of Pediatrics and Larsson-Rosenquist Foundation Mother-Milk-Infant Center of Research Excellence (MOMI CORE), University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Lars Bode
- grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Department of Pediatrics and Larsson-Rosenquist Foundation Mother-Milk-Infant Center of Research Excellence (MOMI CORE), University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Hanna Lagström
- grid.1374.10000 0001 2097 1371Department of Public Health, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland ,grid.1374.10000 0001 2097 1371Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
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10
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Ye T, Yu P, Wen B, Yang Z, Huang W, Guo Y, Abramson MJ, Li S. Greenspace and health outcomes in children and adolescents: A systematic review. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 314:120193. [PMID: 36122655 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
An increasing body of evidence has linked greenspace and various health outcomes in children and adolescents, but the conclusions were inconsistent. For this review, we comprehensively summarized the measurement methods of greenspace, resultant health outcomes, and potential mechanisms from epidemiological studies in children and adolescents (aged ≤19 years). We searched for studies published and indexed in MEDLINE and EMBASE (via Ovid) up to April 11, 2022. There were a total of 9,291 studies identified with 140 articles from 28 countries finally assessed and included in this systematic review. Over 70% of the studies were conducted in highly urbanised countries/regions, but very limited research has been done in low-and middle-income countries and none in Africa. Measures of greenspace varied. Various health outcomes were reported, including protective effects of greenspace exposure on aspects of obesity/overweight, myopia, lung health, circulatory health, cognitive function, and general health in children and adolescents. The associations between greenspace exposure and other health outcomes were inconsistent, especially for respiratory health studies. We pooled odds ratios (OR) using random-effects meta-analysis for health outcomes of asthma (OR = 0.94, 95%CI: 0.84 to 1.06), allergic rhinitis (OR = 0.95; 95% CI: 0.73 to 1.25), and obesity/overweight (OR = 0.91, 95%CI: 0.84 to 0.98) with per 0.1 unit increase in normalized difference in vegetation index (NDVI). These associations have important implications for the assessment and management of urban environment and health in children and adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Ye
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Pei Yu
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Bo Wen
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Zhengyu Yang
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Wenzhong Huang
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Yuming Guo
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Michael J Abramson
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Shanshan Li
- Climate, Air Quality Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.
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11
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Liao L, Du M. Associations between Greenspaces and Individual Health: A Longitudinal Study in China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:13353. [PMID: 36293933 PMCID: PMC9602607 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192013353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Using a longitudinal survey in China, this study identifies the effect of greenspaces on individual health in the aspects of self-rated health, mental health, feeling physical discomfort, and being hospitalized. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) is used to measure the greenery cover of each city, and findings show that higher NDVI leads to the improvement of personal self-rated health status, and it also decreases the probability of being hospitalized, having symptoms of physical discomfort, and being lost in bad mood. The positive health effect of NDVI in the city is much more significant and larger for the middle-aged, the elderly, and the low-educated. The evidence of the three possible channels through which the NDVI of each city shows a positive correlation with individual physical and mental health is found. The increased NDVI in the city encourages residents to foster healthier habits (e.g., decreasing smoking or drinking, increasing sleeping hours), improves air quality and reduces air pollution in each city, and promotes the social cohesion of people, and so the health status of residents is enhanced. This study implies that increasing greenspaces in the city is an effective strategy to improve social welfare and residents' health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Liao
- School of Public Finance and Taxation, Guangdong University of Finance and Economics, Guangzhou 510320, China
- Center for the People’s Fiscal Development, Guangdong University of Finance and Economics, Guangzhou 510320, China
| | - Minzhe Du
- School of Economics and Management, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
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12
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Moreira Magela S, Flávia do Nascimento A, Macena Pereira de Souza B. Capybara Ticks and the Urban Context of Spotted Fever in Brazil: An Overview. Infect Dis (Lond) 2022. [DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.106639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Spotted fever is caused by Rickettsia rickettsii and is transmitted through tick’s saliva. Humans, ticks, and capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) are often coexisting in environments that favor the spread of Brazilian spotted fever (BSF). Although capybaras do not transmit R. rickettsii, they can amplify these bacteria among tick vector populations, playing a significant role in the one health approach and epidemiology of the disease. Urban populations of capybaras have increased, especially in Southeast Brazil, as well as the number of cases and lethality of BSF have increased in the country since the 1980s. This expansion is mainly determined by the availability of food and the absence of predators. Thus, urban areas, including parks and university campuses, provide an abundance of food and protection against predators, ensuring the multiplication of the species and increasing the risk of transmission to humans due to the proximity of man with animals in the urban environment. Therefore, this chapter aims to address aspects of spotted fever, considering the many dimensions of the species involved, contributing to public strategies and policies.
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13
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Shi X, Zheng Y, Cui H, Zhang Y, Jiang M. Exposure to outdoor and indoor air pollution and risk of overweight and obesity across different life periods: A review. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 242:113893. [PMID: 35917711 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Due to the highly evolved industrialization and modernization, air quality has deteriorated in most countries. As reported by the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is now considered as one of the major threats to global health and a principal risk factor for noncommunicable diseases. Meanwhile, the increasing worldwide prevalence of overweight and obesity is attracting more public attentions. Recently, accumulating epidemiological studies have provided evidence that overweight and obesity may be partially attributable to environmental exposure to air pollution. This review summarizes the epidemiological evidence for the correlation between exposure to various outdoor and indoor air pollutants (mainly particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), ozone (O3), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)) and overweight and obesity outcomes in recent years. Moreover, it discusses the multiple effects of air pollution during exposure periods throughout life and sex differences in populations. This review also describes the potential mechanism underlying the increased risk of obesity caused by air pollution, including inflammation, oxidative stress, metabolic imbalance, intestinal flora disorders and epigenetic modifications. Finally, this review proposes macro- and micro-measures to prevent the negative effects of air pollution exposure on the obesity prevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyi Shi
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, 308 Ningxia Road, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Yuxin Zheng
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, 308 Ningxia Road, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Haiwen Cui
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, 308 Ningxia Road, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Yuxi Zhang
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, 308 Ningxia Road, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Menghui Jiang
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, 308 Ningxia Road, Qingdao 266071, China.
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14
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Ahmed SM, Knibbs LD, Moss KM, Mouly TA, Yang IA, Mishra GD. Residential greenspace and early childhood development and academic performance: A longitudinal analysis of Australian children aged 4-12 years. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 833:155214. [PMID: 35421455 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Exposure to greenspaces has beneficial effects on children's mental health and development. This study explores the association between residential exposure to greenspace and early childhood development and academic outcomes. METHODS Children were from Mothers and their Children's Health (MatCH) study, a sub-study of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. We obtained data on early childhood development from the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC), a population-wide census data (n = 936 children, mean age: 5.3, SD: 0.5 years). Academic performance relative to the national minimum standard (NMS) (i.e., in reading, writing, grammar and punctuation, spelling, and numeracy) of children with Year 3 and 5 data were from the 'National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy' (NAPLAN) (n = 1679 children). Annual exposure to green and non-green vegetation was measured using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and fractional cover of non-photosynthetic vegetation (fNPV), respectively, within 100 m and 500 m buffer zone of maternal residential address. We calculated greenspace exposure at the year of test and average exposure throughout childhood. Greenspace exposures were standardised and odds ratio (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated using generalised estimating equation models, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS Exposure to fNPV within 500 m buffer of homes at the year of test and during child's lifetime was associated with academic scores below/at NMS at Year 3 (baseline) and Year 5 (follow-up) for the domains of reading, writing, and grammar and punctuation. Surrounding residential greenness was not significantly associated with NAPLAN scores. No association was found between residential greenspace and developmental vulnerability on one or more AEDC domains across both exposure windows. CONCLUSION Our study revealed that long-term and short-term exposure to non-green vegetation around homes is linked to poor academic performance in children. Further research on fNPV is required to verify these findings, with additional longitudinal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salma M Ahmed
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Luke D Knibbs
- School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Public Health Unit, Sydney Local Health District, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Katrina M Moss
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Tafzila A Mouly
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ian A Yang
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Thoracic Medicine, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Gita D Mishra
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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15
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Jarvis I, Sbihi H, Davis Z, Brauer M, Czekajlo A, Davies HW, Gergel SE, Guhn M, Jerrett M, Koehoorn M, Nesbitt L, Oberlander TF, Su J, van den Bosch M. The influence of early-life residential exposure to different vegetation types and paved surfaces on early childhood development: A population-based birth cohort study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 163:107196. [PMID: 35339041 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Growing evidence suggests that exposure to green space is associated with improved childhood health and development, but the influence of different green space types remains relatively unexplored. In the present study, we investigated the association between early-life residential exposure to vegetation and early childhood development and evaluated whether associations differed according to land cover types, including paved land. METHODS Early childhood development was assessed via kindergarten teacher-ratings on the Early Development Instrument (EDI) in a large population-based birth cohort (n = 27,539) in Metro Vancouver, Canada. The residential surrounding environment was characterized using a high spatial resolution land cover map that was linked to children by six-digit residential postal codes. Early-life residential exposure (from birth to time of EDI assessment, mean age = 5.6 years) was calculated as the mean of annual percentage values of different land cover classes (i.e., total vegetation, tree cover, grass cover, paved surfaces) within a 250 m buffer zone of postal code centroids. Multilevel models were used to analyze associations between respective land cover classes and early childhood development. RESULTS In adjusted models, one interquartile range increase in total vegetation percentage was associated with a 0.33 increase in total EDI score (95% CI: 0.21, 0.45). Similar positive associations were observed for tree cover (β-coefficient: 0.26, 95% CI: 0.15, 0.37) and grass cover (β-coefficient: 0.12, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.22), while negative associations were observed for paved surfaces (β-coefficient: -0.35, 95% CI: -0.47, -0.23). CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that increased early-life residential exposure to vegetation is positively associated with early childhood developmental outcomes, and that associations may be stronger for residential exposure to tree cover relative to grass cover. Our results further indicate that childhood development may be negatively associated with residential exposure to paved surfaces. These findings can inform urban planning to support early childhood developmental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Jarvis
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, The University of British Columbia, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Hind Sbihi
- School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; BC Centre for Disease Control, 655 West 12(th) Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Zoë Davis
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, The University of British Columbia, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Michael Brauer
- School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Agatha Czekajlo
- Department of Forest Resources Management, Faculty of Forestry, The University of British Columbia, 2424 Mail Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Hugh W Davies
- School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sarah E Gergel
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, The University of British Columbia, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Martin Guhn
- Human Early Learning Partnership, School of Population and Public Health, The University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Michael Jerrett
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California at Los Angeles, 650 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, the United States; Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California at Los Angeles, 650 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, the United States
| | - Mieke Koehoorn
- School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Lorien Nesbitt
- Department of Forest Resources Management, Faculty of Forestry, The University of British Columbia, 2424 Mail Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Tim F Oberlander
- School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jason Su
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, 2121 Berkeley Way West, Berkeley, CA, the United States
| | - Matilda van den Bosch
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, The University of British Columbia, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; ISGlobal, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona, Doctor Aiguader 88 08003 Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Plaça de la Mercè, 10-12, 08002 Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Calle de Melchor, Fernández Almagro, 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
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16
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Luque-García L, Corrales A, Lertxundi A, Díaz S, Ibarluzea J. Does exposure to greenness improve children's neuropsychological development and mental health? A Navigation Guide systematic review of observational evidence for associations. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 206:112599. [PMID: 34932982 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Contact with nature may have a key role in child brain development. Recent observational studies have reported improvements in children's neuropsychological development and mental health associated with greenness exposure. In a rapidly urbanizing word, researchers, policymakers, healthcare workers and urban planners need to work together to elaborate evidence-based policies and interventions to increase the availability of quality green space with the potential to enhance childhood development. OBJECTIVE To review the observational evidence assessing the effect of exposure to greenness on children's neuropsychological development and mental health. METHODS The protocol for the review was preregistered at PROSPERO (CRD42020213838). The Navigation Guide systematic review methodology was followed. Search strategies were formulated and adapted to each database. Searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and EBSCO's GreenFILE on October 5, 2021. Additional articles were further identified by hand-searching reference lists of included papers. RESULTS A systematic search of 4 databases identified 621 studies, of which 34 were included in the review. The studies included investigated diverse domains within neuropsychological development and mental health, such as attention, working memory, intelligence, cognitive development, academic performance, well-being, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms, and behavior. Most of the studies were rated as having high or probably high risk of bias in the assessment. DISCUSSION Although nearly all studies showed a positive association between greenness exposure and the outcomes studied, the heterogeneity in the methods used to assess exposure and the diversity of domains within each main outcome has made it difficult to draw clear conclusions. Future studies should adopt a longitudinal design to confirm the causality of the associations and include measures to determine which characteristics of greenness have the greatest influence on each domain. Researchers should also try to explore pathways linking exposure to greenness with the neuropsychological development and mental health, by implementing mechanistic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Luque-García
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, 48940, Spain; Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development Group, 20014, San Sebastian, Spain; Osakidetza Basque Health Service, Goierri Alto-Urola Integrated Health Organisation, Zumarraga Hospital, Zumarraga, 20700, Spain.
| | - A Corrales
- Osakidetza Basque Health Service, Uribe Integrated Health Organisation, Urduliz-Alfredo Espinosa Hospital, Urduliz, 48610, Spain
| | - A Lertxundi
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, 48940, Spain; Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development Group, 20014, San Sebastian, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - S Díaz
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, 48940, Spain
| | - J Ibarluzea
- Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development Group, 20014, San Sebastian, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029, Madrid, Spain; Ministry of Health of the Basque Government, Sub-Directorate for Public Health and Addictions of Gipuzkoa, 20013, San Sebastián, Spain; Faculty of Psychology of the University of the Basque Country, 20018, San Sebastian, Spain
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17
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Vella-Brodrick DA, Gilowska K. Effects of Nature (Greenspace) on Cognitive Functioning in School Children and Adolescents: a Systematic Review. EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY REVIEW 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10648-022-09658-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
AbstractThere is growing interest in understanding the extent to which natural environments can influence learning particularly in school contexts. Nature has the potential to relieve cognitive overload, reduce stress and increase wellbeing—all factors that are conducive to learning. This paper provides a PRISMA-guided systematic review of the literature examining the effects of nature interventions on the cognitive functioning of young people aged 5 to 18 years. Examples of nature interventions include outdoor learning, green playgrounds, walks in nature, plants in classrooms and nature views from classroom windows. These can vary in duration and level of interaction (passive or active). Experimental and quasi-experimental studies with comparison groups that employed standardized cognitive measures were selected, yielding 12 studies from 11 papers. Included studies were rated as being of high (n = 10) or moderate quality (n = 2) and most involved short-term nature interventions. Results provide substantial support for cognitive benefits of nature interventions regarding selective attention, sustained attention and working memory. Underlying mechanisms for the benefits were also explored, including enhanced wellbeing, cognitive restoration and stress reduction—all likely to be contributors to the nature-cognition relationship. The cognitive effects of nature interventions were also examined according to age and school level with some differences evident. Findings from this systematic review show promise that providing young people with opportunities to connect with nature, particularly in educational settings, can be conducive to enhanced cognitive functioning. Schools are well placed to provide much needed ‘green’ educational settings and experiences to assist with relieving cognitive overload and stress and to optimize wellbeing and learning.
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From Childhood Residential Green space to Adult Mental Wellbeing: A Pathway Analysis among Chinese Adults. Behav Sci (Basel) 2022; 12:bs12030084. [PMID: 35323403 PMCID: PMC8945553 DOI: 10.3390/bs12030084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Residential green spaces, arguably the most accessible type of urban green space, may have lasting impacts on children and even change their lives later in adulthood. However, the potential pathways from childhood residential green space to adulthood mental wellbeing are not well understood. Therefore, we conducted a questionnaire survey among Chinese adults (N = 770) in September 2021 to capture data on subjective measures of residential green space and nature contact during childhood, and nature connectedness, nature contact, and mental wellbeing during adulthood. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to examine theoretical pathways between childhood residential green space and adult mental wellbeing. The results suggest that childhood residential green space positively predicts childhood nature contact and also has direct and indirect positive impacts on nature contact, nature connectedness, and mental wellbeing during adulthood. These findings advance understanding of the long-term impacts of childhood residential green space. Policymakers are advised to prioritize residential greening as well as other recreational facilities for children when planning health-promoting environments in urban spaces. Due to limitations in our study design, we also advise future studies to re-examine and extend the framework documented here.
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Runkle JD, Matthews JL, Sparks L, McNicholas L, Sugg MM. Racial and ethnic disparities in pregnancy complications and the protective role of greenspace: A retrospective birth cohort study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 808:152145. [PMID: 34871679 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Greenspace may positively impact pregnancy health for racially and economically minoritized populations; few studies have examined local availability and accessibility of green/park space in reducing maternal morbidity. The objective of this retrospective birth cohort study was to examine the association between residential exposure to greenspace and adverse pregnancy health outcomes in a Southern US state characterized by high poverty and racial disparities in maternal health (2013-2017). National data from the Protected Area database - United States (PAD-US) and ParkServe estimated three publicly available and accessible residential greenspace measures-a more direct proxy than using remotely-sensed greenness indicators (e.g., normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI))-(a) percent area of greenspace (M1), (b) area of available greenspace per person (M2), (c) total population within a 10-minute walk (M3). Generalized Estimating Equations with logistic regression were used to examine the association between individual greenspace metrics and South Carolina hospital deliveries (n = 238,922 deliveries) for women with correlated maternal health outcomes for gestational hypertension (GHTN), gestational diabetes (GD), severe maternal morbidity (SMM), preeclampsia (PRE), mental disorders (MD), depressive disorders (DD), and preterm birth (PTB). Lowest compared to highest tertiles of all three metrics were associated with increased risk for MD, DD, and a monotonic increase in GD, particularly for black women. Women with the lowest access to M2 and M3 were more at risk for PRE, PTB, and MD. We observed that women in low-income, majority-black communities in the lowest versus highest tertile of M2 were more likely to experience a DD, MD, SMM, or PTB compared to primarily high-income majority-white communities. Available and accessible green/park space may present as an effective nature-based intervention to reduce maternal complications, particularly for gestational diabetes and other pregnancy health risks for which there are currently few known evidence-based primary prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer D Runkle
- North Carolina Institute for Climate Studies, North Carolina State University, 151 Patton Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801, USA.
| | - Jessica L Matthews
- NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), 151 Patton Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801, USA.
| | - Laurel Sparks
- Department of Geosciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Leo McNicholas
- Department of Statistics and Operations Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Margaret M Sugg
- Department of Geography and Planning, Appalachian State University, P.O. Box 32066, Boone, NC 28608, USA.
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Jimenez MP, Shoaff J, Kioumourtzoglou MA, Korrick S, Rifas-Shiman SL, Hivert MF, Oken E, James P. Early-Life Exposure to Green Space and Mid-Childhood Cognition in the Project Viva Cohort, Massachusetts. Am J Epidemiol 2022; 191:115-125. [PMID: 34308473 PMCID: PMC8897997 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwab209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The association between early-life greenness and child cognition is not well understood. Using prospective data from Project Viva (n = 857) from 1999-2010, we examined associations of early-life greenness exposure with mid-childhood cognition. We estimated residential greenness at birth, early childhood (median age 3.1 years), and mid-childhood (7.8 years) using 30-m resolution Landsat satellite imagery (normalized difference vegetation index). In early childhood and mid-childhood, we administered standardized assessments of verbal and nonverbal intelligence, visual-motor abilities, and visual memory. We used natural splines to examine associations of early life-course greenness with mid-childhood cognition, adjusting for age, sex, race, income, neighborhood socioeconomic status, maternal intelligence, and parental education. At lower levels of greenness (greenness <0.6), greenness exposure at early childhood was associated with a 0.48% increase in nonverbal intelligence and 2.64% increase in visual memory in mid-childhood. The association between early-childhood greenness and mid-childhood visual memory was observed after further adjusting for early childhood cognition and across different methodologies, while the association with nonverbal intelligence was not. No other associations between early life-course greenness and mid-childhood cognition were found. Early childhood greenness was nonlinearly associated with higher mid-childhood visual memory. Our findings highlight the importance of nonlinear associations between greenness and cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcia P Jimenez
- Correspondence to Dr. Marcia P. Jimenez, Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Landmark Center 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA 02215 (e-mail: )
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Binter AC, Bernard JY, Mon-Williams M, Andiarena A, González-Safont L, Vafeiadi M, Lepeule J, Soler-Blasco R, Alonso L, Kampouri M, Mceachan R, Santa-Marina L, Wright J, Chatzi L, Sunyer J, Philippat C, Nieuwenhuijsen M, Vrijheid M, Guxens M. Urban environment and cognitive and motor function in children from four European birth cohorts. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 158:106933. [PMID: 34662798 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The urban environment may influence neurodevelopment from conception onwards, but there is no evaluation of the impact of multiple groups of exposures simultaneously. We investigated the association between early-life urban environment and cognitive and motor function in children. METHODS We used data from 5403 mother-child pairs from four population-based birth-cohorts (UK, France, Spain, and Greece). We estimated thirteen urban home exposures during pregnancy and childhood, including: built environment, natural spaces, and air pollution. Verbal, non-verbal, gross motor, and fine motor functions were assessed using validated tests at five years old. We ran adjusted multi-exposure models using the Deletion-Substitution-Addition algorithm. RESULTS Higher greenness exposure within 300 m during pregnancy was associated with higher verbal abilities (1.5 points (95% confidence interval 0.4, 2.7) per 0.20 unit increase in greenness). Higher connectivity density within 100 m and land use diversity during pregnancy were related to lower verbal abilities. Childhood exposure to PM2.5 mediated 74% of the association between greenness during childhood and verbal abilities. Higher exposure to PM2.5 during pregnancy was related to lower fine motor function (-1.2 points (-2.1, -0.4) per 3.2 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5). No associations were found with non-verbal abilities and gross motor function. DISCUSSION This study suggests that built environment, greenness, and air pollution may impact child cognitive and motor function at five years old. This study adds evidence that well-designed urban planning may benefit children's cognitive and motor development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Claire Binter
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - Jonathan Y Bernard
- Université de Paris, Centre for Research in Epidemiology and StatisticS (CRESS), Inserm, INRAE, F-75004 Paris, France; Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Mark Mon-Williams
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK; School of Psychology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK; National Centre for Optics, Vision and Eye Care, University of South-Eastern Norway, Kongsberg, Norway
| | - Ainara Andiarena
- Faculty of Psychology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain; Biodonostia, Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development Group, 20014 San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Llúcia González-Safont
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain; Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO -Universitat Jaume I -Universitat de Val ència, Valencia, Spain
| | - Marina Vafeiadi
- Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Johanna Lepeule
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, CNRS, Team of Environmental Epidemiology applied to Reproduction and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Grenoble, France
| | - Raquel Soler-Blasco
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO -Universitat Jaume I -Universitat de Val ència, Valencia, Spain
| | - Lucia Alonso
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - Mariza Kampouri
- Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rosie Mceachan
- Bradford Institute of Health Research, Bradford BD9 6RJ, United Kingdom
| | - Loreto Santa-Marina
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO -Universitat Jaume I -Universitat de Val ència, Valencia, Spain; Biodonostia, Epidemiology and Public Health Area, Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development Group, 20014 San Sebastian, Spain; Public Health Division of Gipuzkoa, Basque Government, 20013 San Sebastian, Spain
| | - John Wright
- Bradford Institute of Health Research, Bradford BD9 6RJ, United Kingdom
| | - Leda Chatzi
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, US
| | - Jordi Sunyer
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain; IMIM-Parc Salut Mar, Barcelona
| | - Claire Philippat
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, CNRS, Team of Environmental Epidemiology applied to Reproduction and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Grenoble, France
| | - Mark Nieuwenhuijsen
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - Martine Vrijheid
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - Mònica Guxens
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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Fan CC, Marshall A, Smolker H, Gonzalez MR, Tapert SF, Barch DM, Sowell E, Dowling GJ, Cardenas-Iniguez C, Ross J, Thompson WK, Herting MM. Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study Linked External Data (LED): Protocol and practices for geocoding and assignment of environmental data. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2021; 52:101030. [PMID: 34891080 PMCID: PMC8666341 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2021.101030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Our brain is constantly shaped by our immediate environments, and while some effects are transient, some have long-term consequences. Therefore, it is critical to identify which environmental risks have evident and long-term impact on brain development. To expand our understanding of the environmental context of each child, the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study® incorporates the use of geospatial location data to capture a range of individual, neighborhood, and state level data based on the child's residential location in order to elucidate the physical environmental contexts in which today's youth are growing up. We review the major considerations and types of geocoded information incorporated by the Linked External Data Environmental (LED) workgroup to expand on the built and natural environmental constructs in the existing and future ABCD Study data releases. Understanding the environmental context of each youth furthers the consortium's mission to understand factors that may influence individual differences in brain development, providing the opportunity to inform public policy and health organization guidelines for child and adolescent health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Chieh Fan
- Population Neuroscience and Genetics Lab, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Center for Human Development, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Andrew Marshall
- Division of Children, Youth, and Families, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Department of Pediatrics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Harry Smolker
- Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Marybel R Gonzalez
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Susan F Tapert
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Deanna M Barch
- Departments of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Psychiatry, and Radiology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Elizabeth Sowell
- Division of Children, Youth, and Families, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Department of Pediatrics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Carlos Cardenas-Iniguez
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jessica Ross
- Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Wesley K Thompson
- Population Neuroscience and Genetics Lab, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Megan M Herting
- Division of Children, Youth, and Families, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Department of Pediatrics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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23
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Jarvis I, Davis Z, Sbihi H, Brauer M, Czekajlo A, Davies HW, Gergel SE, Guhn M, Jerrett M, Koehoorn M, Oberlander TF, Su J, van den Bosch M. Assessing the association between lifetime exposure to greenspace and early childhood development and the mediation effects of air pollution and noise in Canada: a population-based birth cohort study. Lancet Planet Health 2021; 5:e709-e717. [PMID: 34627475 DOI: 10.1016/s2542-5196(21)00235-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to greenspace is associated with improved childhood development, but the pathways behind this relationship are insufficiently understood. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between lifetime residential exposure to greenspace and early childhood development and evaluate the extent to which this association is mediated by reductions in traffic-related air pollution and noise. METHODS This population-based birth cohort study comprised singleton births in Metro Vancouver, BC, Canada, between April 1, 2000, and Dec 31, 2005. Children and mothers had to be registered with the mandatory provincial health insurance programme, Medical Services Plan, and have lived within the study area from the child's birth to the time of outcome assessment. Early childhood development was assessed via teacher ratings on the Early Development Instrument (EDI), and we used the total EDI score as the primary outcome variable. We estimated greenspace using percentage vegetation derived from spectral unmixing of annual Landsat satellite image composites. Lifetime residential exposure to greenspace was estimated as the mean of annual percentage vegetation values within 250 m of participants' residential postal codes. Multilevel modelling, adjusted for eight covariates, was used to investigate associations between greenspace exposure and EDI scores. We estimated the mediation effects of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), fine particulate matter (PM2·5), and noise levels using causal mediation analyses. FINDINGS Of the 37 745 children born in Metro Vancouver between April 1, 2000, and Dec 31, 2005, 27 372 were included in our final study sample. In the adjusted model, 1 IQR increase in percentage vegetation was associated with a 0·16 (95% CI 0·04-0·28; p=0·0073) increase in total EDI score, indicating small improvements in early childhood development. We estimated that 97·1% (95% CI 43·0-396·0), 29·5% (12·0-117·0), and 35·2% (17·9-139·0) of the association was mediated through reductions in NO2, PM2·5, and noise, respectively. INTERPRETATION Increased exposure to residential greenspace might improve childhood development by reducing the adverse developmental effects of traffic-related exposures, especially NO2 air pollution. Our study supports the implementation of healthy urban planning and green infrastructure interventions. FUNDING Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Jarvis
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Zoë Davis
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Hind Sbihi
- School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Michael Brauer
- School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Agatha Czekajlo
- Department of Forest Resources Management, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Hugh W Davies
- School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sarah E Gergel
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Martin Guhn
- Faculty of Forestry, and Human Early Learning Partnership, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Michael Jerrett
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mieke Koehoorn
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Tim F Oberlander
- School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jason Su
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Matilda van den Bosch
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; ISGlobal, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Instituto de Salud Carlos 3, Madrid, Spain.
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Fyfe-Johnson AL, Hazlehurst MF, Perrins SP, Bratman GN, Thomas R, Garrett KA, Hafferty KR, Cullaz TM, Marcuse EK, Tandon PS. Nature and Children's Health: A Systematic Review. Pediatrics 2021; 148:e2020049155. [PMID: 34588297 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2020-049155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Daily outdoor play is encouraged by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Existing evidence is unclear on the independent effect of nature exposures on child health. OBJECTIVE We systematically evaluated evidence regarding the relationship between nature contact and children's health. DATA SOURCES The database search was conducted by using PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsychInfo, ERIC, Scopus, and Web of Science in February 2021. STUDY SELECTION We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. In all searches, the first element included nature terms; the second included child health outcome terms. DATA EXTRACTION Of the 10 940 studies identified, 296 were included. Study quality and risk of bias were assessed. RESULTS The strongest evidence for type of nature exposure was residential green space studies (n = 147, 50%). The strongest evidence for the beneficial health effects of nature was for physical activity (n = 108, 32%) and cognitive, behavioral, or mental health (n = 85, 25%). Physical activity was objectively measured in 55% of studies, and 41% of the cognitive, behavioral, or mental health studies were experimental in design. LIMITATIONS Types of nature exposures and health outcomes and behaviors were heterogenous. Risk of selection bias was moderate to high for all studies. Most studies were cross-sectional (n = 204, 69%), limiting our ability to assess causality. CONCLUSIONS Current literature supports a positive relationship between nature contact and children's health, especially for physical activity and mental health, both public health priorities. The evidence supports pediatricians in advocating for equitable nature contact for children in places where they live, play, and learn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber L Fyfe-Johnson
- Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington
| | | | | | - Gregory N Bratman
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Rick Thomas
- National Academy of Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Kimberly A Garrett
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington
| | - Kiana R Hafferty
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington
| | - Tess M Cullaz
- Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington
| | | | - Pooja S Tandon
- Pediatrics
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington
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Wang P, Zhao Y, Li J, Zhou Y, Luo R, Meng X, Zhang Y. Prenatal exposure to ambient fine particulate matter and early childhood neurodevelopment: A population-based birth cohort study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 785:147334. [PMID: 33957596 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Although previous studies have reported the adverse effect of air pollution exposure during pregnancy on neurodevelopment in children, epidemiological evidence is limited, and the results are inconsistent. This study aimed to explore the association between prenatal ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure and early childhood neurodevelopment in a large birth cohort study of 4009 maternal-child pairs. Prenatal daily PM2.5 exposure concentrations at 1 km spatial revolution were estimated using high-performance machine-learning models. Neurodevelopmental outcomes of children at ages 2, 6, 12, and 24 months were assessed using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ). Distributed lag nonlinear models were used to identify critical windows of prenatal PM2.5 exposure. General linear mixed models with binomially distributed errors were used to estimate the effect of prenatal PM2.5 exposure on suspected developmental delay (SDD) in five developmental domains based on the longitudinal design. Prenatal PM2.5 exposure was significantly associated with decreased scores for all neurodevelopmental domains of children at ages 2, 6, and 24 months. Each 10-μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 exposure was significantly associated with increased risk of SDD for all subjects (RR: 1.52 95% CI: 1.19, 2.03), specifically, in problem-solving domain for girls (RR: 2.23, 95% CI: 1.22, 4.35). Prenatal PM2.5 exposure in weeks 18 to 34 was significantly associated with both ASQ scores and SDDs. Our study proposed that prenatal PM2.5 exposure affected early childhood neurodevelopment evaluated with the ASQ scale. PM2.5 exposure might increase the risk of SDD for boys and girls, specifically in the problem-solving domain for girls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengpeng Wang
- Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (Fudan University), China; Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yingya Zhao
- Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (Fudan University), China; Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jialin Li
- Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (Fudan University), China; Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yuhan Zhou
- Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (Fudan University), China; Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ranran Luo
- Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (Fudan University), China; Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xia Meng
- Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (Fudan University), China; Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Yunhui Zhang
- Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (Fudan University), China; Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
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Shoari N, Ezzati M, Doyle YG, Wolfe I, Brauer M, Bennett J, Fecht D. Nowhere to Play: Available Open and Green Space in Greater London Schools. J Urban Health 2021; 98:375-384. [PMID: 33742376 PMCID: PMC8190412 DOI: 10.1007/s11524-021-00527-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Experiencing outdoor space, especially natural space, during childhood and adolescence has beneficial physical and mental health effects, including improved cognitive and motor skills and a lower risk of obesity. Since school-age children typically spend 35-40 hours per week at schools, we quantified their access to open (non-built-up) space and green space at schools in Greater London. We linked land use information from the UK Ordnance Survey with school characteristics from the Department for Education (DfE) for schools in Greater London. We estimated open space by isolating land and water features within school boundaries and, as a subset of open space, green space defined as open space covered by vegetation. We examined the relationship of both school open and green space with distance to Central London, whether the school was fee-paying, and the percentage of pupils eligible for free school meals (as a school-level indicator of socioeconomic status). Almost 400,000 pupils (30% of all pupils in London) attended schools with less than ten square metre per pupil of open space-the minimum recommended area by DfE-and 800,000 pupils attended schools with less than ten square metre per pupil of green space. Of the latter, 70% did not have any public parks in the immediate vicinity of their schools. School green space increased with distance from Central London. There was a weak association between the school-level socioeconomic indicator and the amount of open and green space. Fee-paying schools provided less open space compared to non-fee-paying schools in central parts of London, but the provision became comparable in suburban London. Many London schools do not provide enough open and green space. There is a need to ensure regular contact with green space through safeguarding school grounds from sales, financially supporting disadvantaged schools to increase their outdoor space and providing access to off-site facilities such as sharing outdoor space with other schools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niloofar Shoari
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Majid Ezzati
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Ingrid Wolfe
- Department of Women and Children's Health, School of Life Course Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Michael Brauer
- School of Population and Public Health, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - James Bennett
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Daniela Fecht
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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Li D, Menotti T, Ding Y, Wells NM. Life Course Nature Exposure and Mental Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Future Directions. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18105146. [PMID: 34066287 PMCID: PMC8152056 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18105146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Recently, an emerging body of literature has examined the relationships between early life nature exposure and mental health in later life; however, no critical synthesis yet exists regarding the extent and strength of these relationships. This study presents the first systematic review of studies in this growing area. Following the PRISMA framework, we searched six databases (i.e., Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and CINAHL); conducted identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion analyses; and identified a final set of 29 articles. The review set comprises primarily longitudinal studies, with several cross-sectional studies using retrospective measures of childhood nature exposure. The majority of included studies were published between 2016 and 2020 and conducted in Europe and North America. Five domains of mental health outcomes are associated with early-life nature exposure: incidence of mental disorders, psychiatric symptoms and emotions, conduct problems in children, cognitive function, and subjective well-being. The evidence lends support to an overall beneficial role of early nature exposure on mental health, although inconsistencies are reported. Taken together, the evidence does not suggest that exposure at any given life stage is more saliently associated with mental health outcomes than at others. We discuss the validity concerns and methodological remedies and offer directions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongying Li
- Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (T.M.); (Y.D.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Tess Menotti
- Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (T.M.); (Y.D.)
| | - Yizhen Ding
- Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (T.M.); (Y.D.)
| | - Nancy M. Wells
- Department of Design and Environmental Analysis, College of Human Ecology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA;
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Davis Z, Guhn M, Jarvis I, Jerrett M, Nesbitt L, Oberlander T, Sbihi H, Su J, van den Bosch M. The association between natural environments and childhood mental health and development: A systematic review and assessment of different exposure measurements. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2021; 235:113767. [PMID: 33989957 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several studies have assessed the relationship between exposure to natural environments (NEs) and childhood mental health and development. In most cases, a positive association has been found, but results are inconsistent, and the strength of association is unclear. This inconsistency may reflect the heterogeneity in measurements used to assess NE. OBJECTIVES This systematic review aims to identify the most common NE metrics used in childhood mental health and development research. Our second aim is to identify the metrics that are most consistently associated with health and assess the relative strength of association depending on type of NE exposure measurement, in terms of metric used (i.e., measurement technique, such as remote sensing), but also rate (i.e., spatial and temporal exposure). METHODS We used the PRISMA protocol to identify eligible studies, following a set of pre-defined inclusion criteria based on the PECOS strategy. A number of keywords were used for retrieving relevant articles from Medline, Embase, PsychINFO, and Web of Science databases between January 2000-November 2020. From these, we extracted data on type of NE measurement and relative association to a number of indicators of childhood mental health and development. We conducted a systematic assessment of quality and risk of bias in the included articles to evaluate the level of evidence. Case studies and qualitative studies were excluded. RESULTS After screening of title (283 studies included), abstract, and full article, 45 studies were included in our review. A majority of which were conducted in North America and Europe (n = 36; 80%). The majority of studies used land use or land covers (LULC, n = 24; 35%) to determine exposures to NEs. Other metrics included the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), expert measures (e.g., surveys of data collection done by experts), surveys (e.g., self-reported assessments), and use of NE (e.g., measures of a participant's use of NE such as through GPS tracts or parent reports). Rate was most commonly determined by buffer zones around residential addresses or postal codes. The most consistent association to health outcomes was found for buffers of 100 m, 250 m, 500 m, and within polygons boundaries (e.g., census tracts). Six health categories, academic achievement, prevalence of doctor diagnosed disorders, emotional and behavioral functioning, well-being, social functioning, and cognitive skills, were created post hoc. We found sufficient evidence between NDVI (Landsat) and emotional and behavioral well-being. Additionally, we found limited evidence between LULC datasets and academic achievement; use of NE, parent/guardian reported greenness, and expert measures of greenness and emotional and behavioral functioning; and use of NE and social functioning. DISCUSSION This review demonstrates that several NE measurements must be evaluated further before sufficient evidence for a potential association between distinct NE exposure metrics and childhood mental health and development can be established. Further, we suggest increased coordination between research efforts, for example, by replication of studies and comparing different NE measurements systematically, so that effect sizes can be confirmed for various health outcomes. Finally, we recommend implementing research designs that assess underlying pathways of nature-health relations and utilize measurement techniques that adequately assess exposure, access, use, and perception of NEs in order to contribute to a better understanding of health impacts of surrounding natural environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoë Davis
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada.
| | - Martin Guhn
- Human Early Learning Partnership, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Ingrid Jarvis
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Michael Jerrett
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, 650 Charles E. Young Drive S, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States; Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, 650 Charles E. Young Drive S, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
| | - Lorien Nesbitt
- Department of Forest and Resource Management, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Tim Oberlander
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 4480 Oak St., Vancouver, BC, V6H 3V4, Canada
| | - Hind Sbihi
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 4480 Oak St., Vancouver, BC, V6H 3V4, Canada; BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, 950 W 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Jason Su
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, 2121 Berkeley Way #5302, Berkeley, CA, 94720, United States
| | - Matilda van den Bosch
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada; School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada; ISGlobal, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona, Carrer de Dr. Aiguader, 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Plaça de La Mercè, 10-12, 08002, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Calle de Melchor Fernández Almagro, 3, 28029, Madrid, Spain
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES Summarise studies of outdoor green space exposure and brain health measures related to Alzheimer's disease and related disorders (ADRD), and determine scientific gaps for future research. DESIGN Rapid review of primary research studies. METHODS AND OUTCOMES PubMed, Embase and Web of Science Core Collection were searched for articles meeting the criteria published on/before 13 February 2020. The review excluded papers not in English, focused on transient states (eg, mental fatigue) or not using individual-level measures of brain health (eg, average school test scores). Brain health measures of interest included cognitive function, clinical diagnosis of cognitive impairment/dementia/ADRD and brain biomarkers such as those from MRI, measures typically associated with ADRD risk and disease progression. RESULTS Twenty-two papers were published from 2012 to 2020, 36% on <18 years old, 32% on 18-64 years old and 59% on ≥65 years old. Sixty-four per cent defined green space based on the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index ('greenness'/healthy vegetation) and 68% focused on cognitive measures of brain health (eg, memory). Seventeen studies (77%) found green space-brain health associations (14 positive, 4 inverse). Greater greenness/green space was positively associated various cognitive domains in 10 studies and with MRI outcomes (regional brain volumes, cortical thickness, amygdala integrity) in three studies. Greater neighbourhood greenness was associated with lower odds/risk of cognitive impairment/ADRD in some studies but increased odds/risk in others (n=4 studies). CONCLUSIONS Published studies suggest positive green space-brain health associations across the life course, but the methods and cohorts were limited and heterogeneous. Future research using racially/ethnically and geographically diverse cohorts, life course methods and more specific green space and brain health measures (eg, time spent in green spaces, ADRD biomarkers) will strengthen evidence for causal associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilah Besser
- Institute for Human Health and Disease Intervention, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida, USA
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Huang L, Schmid KL, Zhang J, Yang GY, Wu J, Yin XN, He G, Ruan Z, Jiang XQ, Wu CA, Chen WQ. Association between greater residential greenness and decreased risk of preschool myopia and astigmatism. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 196:110976. [PMID: 33684414 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.110976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Rapid urbanization has led to reduced greenness in many areas, this has been linked to adverse health outcomes. The aim was to determine the association between residential greenness experienced during very early childhood with preschool myopia and astigmatism and to explore the potential mediating role of screen time on any associations. METHOD Information regarding socio-demographic characteristics, home address, screen time during early childhood, and refraction data from vision screenings of 53,575 preschoolers from Longhua Child Cohort Study were collected via questionnaires. Residential greenness was calculated as the average of satellite-derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index in buffers of 100, 250, and 500 m around each child's home address. Logistic and linear regression models were used to examine the relationships between residential greenness, screen time, and preschool myopia and astigmatism. RESULT The mean (SD) age of the 53,575 preschoolers was 5.0 (0.7) years, and 24,849 (46.4%) were girls. A total of 1236 (2.3%) preschoolers had myopia and 5347 (10.0%) had astigmatism. In the adjusted model, a higher neighborhood greenness level within 100 m buffers around the home address was associated with decreased risk of myopia (adjusted odds ratios (AOR): 0.62, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.38-0.99), and higher neighborhood greenness levels within 100, 250, and 500 m decreased the risk of astigmatism, and their AORs (95% CIs) were 0.55 (0.43-0.70) for 100 m, 0.59 (0.41-0.83) for 250 m, 0.61 (0.42-0.90) for 500 m, respectively. Greater screen time during early childhood increased the risk of myopia (AOR = 1.33) and astigmatism (AOR = 1.23). Reduction in screen time fully mediated the benefits of greater residential greenness on preschool myopia, but partially mediated that on preschool astigmatism (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Higher residential greenness reduces the risk of preschool myopia and astigmatism; the benefits of residential greenness were mediated through reduced daily screen time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihua Huang
- Department of Epidemiology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health Assessment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Katrina L Schmid
- Centre for Eye and Vision Research, School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, 4059, QLD, Australia.
| | - Jingyu Zhang
- Longhua District Maternal and Child Health Hospital, 518109, Shenzhen, China
| | - Gui-You Yang
- Department of Epidemiology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health Assessment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianbo Wu
- Department of Epidemiology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health Assessment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, China; Longhua District Maternal and Child Health Hospital, 518109, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiao-Na Yin
- Longhua District Maternal and Child Health Hospital, 518109, Shenzhen, China
| | - Guanhao He
- Department of Epidemiology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health Assessment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zengliang Ruan
- Department of Epidemiology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health Assessment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Qin Jiang
- Longhua District Maternal and Child Health Hospital, 518109, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chuan-An Wu
- Longhua District Maternal and Child Health Hospital, 518109, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Wei-Qing Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health Assessment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, China; Department of Information Management, Xinhua College of Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, China.
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31
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Lee KS, Kim BN, Cho J, Jang YY, Choi YJ, Lee WS, Han C, Bae HJ, Lim YH, Kim JI, Shin CH, Lee YA, Hong YC. Associations between surrounding residential greenness and intelligence quotient in 6-year-old children. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 759:143561. [PMID: 33199008 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Residential greenness has been reported to be positively associated with health benefits for children, including improved cognitive function. We investigated the association between the intelligence quotient (IQ) of 6-year-old children in Seoul, South Korea and surrounding greenness currently and during the mothers' pregnancy. We also analyzed whether these effects differed by the type of greenness, such as natural or built greenness. METHODS This study considered 189 mother-child dyads from the Environment and Development of Children Cohort study, who lived in Seoul during the prenatal period and when the child was 6 years old. We defined surrounding greenness using Landsat image data from Korean Arirang satellite images with buffers within 100 m - 2000 m of the radius of each participant's residential address. We separately analyzed two types of greenness, namely natural and built greenness. The children's IQ (total, verbal, and performance IQ) was measured using the Korean Educational Developmental Institute's Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. RESULTS Prenatal exposure to built greenness in 500 m and 1000 m buffers was associated with children's total IQ in a full model [difference in IQ (95% CI): 3.46(0.68, 6.24) and 3.42 (0.53, 6.31) per interquartile increase in proportion of greenness]. However, postnatal exposure to built greenness in all buffers was associated in children's total IQ. We found a stronger association between children's total IQ and built greenness rather than natural greenness. CONCLUSIONS We found that 6-year-old children tended to score higher on total IQ if they lived in greener neighborhoods. The results provide further evidence of the health benefits of greenness and provide support for urban planning and public health to build healthy urban cities for children and pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung-Shin Lee
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Environmental Health Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Bung-Nyun Kim
- Division of Children and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Jinwoo Cho
- Department of Statistics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Yoon-Young Jang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Environmental Health Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Yoon-Jung Choi
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Environmental Health Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Woo-Seok Lee
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Environmental Health Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Changwoo Han
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Chungnam National University, College of Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea.
| | - Hyun Joo Bae
- Korea Environment Institute, Sejong, South Korea..
| | - Youn-Hee Lim
- Section of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Institute of Environmental Medicine, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Johanna Inhyang Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Hanyang University Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Choong Ho Shin
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Young Ah Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Yun-Chul Hong
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Environmental Health Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Institute of Environmental Medicine, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, South Korea.
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Virtual Reality Representations of Nature to Improve Well-Being amongst Older Adults: a Rapid Review. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 6:464-485. [PMID: 33688575 PMCID: PMC7934124 DOI: 10.1007/s41347-021-00195-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Poor well-being amongst older adults poses a serious health concern. Simultaneously, research shows that contact with nature can improve various facets of well-being, including physical, social, and mental well-being. However, nature is not always accessible for older adults due to mobility restrictions and related care needs that come with age. A promising strategy aims at bringing nature inside through pervasive technologies. However, so far, there is little academic understanding of essential nature characteristics, psychological processes involved, and means for implementation in practice. The current study used a three-folded rapid review to assess current understanding and strategies used for improving well-being for older adults through virtual reality representations of nature. Searches were performed across three databases, followed-up by content-based evaluation of abstracts. In total, a set of 25 relevant articles was identified. Only three studies specifically focus on digital nature as an intervention strategy for improving well-being amongst older adults. Although these studies provide useful starting points for the design and (technological) development of such environments, they do not generate understanding of how specific characteristics of virtual nature representations impact social well-being measures in particular, and of the underlying psychological processes involved. We conclude that follow-up research is warranted to close the gap between insights and findings from nature research, gerontology, health research, and human-technology interaction.
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Rojas-Carvajal M, Sequeira-Cordero A, Brenes JC. The environmental enrichment model revisited: A translatable paradigm to study the stress of our modern lifestyle. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 55:2359-2392. [PMID: 33638921 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Mounting evidence shows that physical activity, social interaction and sensorimotor stimulation provided by environmental enrichment (EE) exert several neurobehavioural effects traditionally interpreted as enhancements relative to standard housing (SH) conditions. However, this evidence rather indicates that SH induces many deficits, which could be ameliorated by exposing animals to an environment vaguely mimicking some features of their wild habitat. Rearing rodents in social isolation (SI) can aggravate such deficits, which can be restored by SH or EE. It is not surprising, therefore, that most preclinical stress models have included severe and unnatural stressors to produce a stress response prominent enough to be distinguishable from SH or SI-frequently used as control groups. Although current stress models induce a stress-related phenotype, they may fail to represent the stress of our urban lifestyle characterized by SI, poor housing and working environments, sedentarism, obesity and limited access to recreational activities and exercise. In the following review, we discuss the stress of living in urban areas and how exposures to and performing activities in green environments are stress relievers. Based on the commonalities between human and animal EE, we discuss how models of housing conditions (e.g., SI-SH-EE) could be adapted to study the stress of our modern lifestyle. The housing conditions model might be easy to implement and replicate leading to more translational results. It may also contribute to accomplishing some ethical commitments by promoting the refinement of procedures to model stress, diminishing animal suffering, enhancing animal welfare and eventually reducing the number of experimental animals needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mijail Rojas-Carvajal
- Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica.,Centro de Investigación en Neurociencias, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica
| | - Andrey Sequeira-Cordero
- Centro de Investigación en Neurociencias, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica.,Instituto de Investigaciones en Salud, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica
| | - Juan C Brenes
- Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica.,Centro de Investigación en Neurociencias, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica
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Mennis J, Li X, Meenar M, Coatsworth JD, McKeon TP, Mason MJ. Residential Greenspace and Urban Adolescent Substance Use: Exploring Interactive Effects with Peer Network Health, Sex, and Executive Function. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18041611. [PMID: 33567686 PMCID: PMC7914774 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18041611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
While urban greenspace is increasingly recognized as important to mental health, its role in substance use is understudied. This exploratory study investigates the interaction of greenspace with peer network health, sex, and executive function (EF) in models of substance use among a sample of disadvantaged, urban youth. Adolescents and their parents were recruited from a hospital in the mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. Residential greenspace at the streetscape level was derived from analysis of Google Street View imagery. Logistic regression models were used to test the moderating effect of greenspace on the association between peer network health and substance use, as well as additional moderating effects of sex and EF. The significant negative association of peer network health with substance use occurred only among youth residing in high greenspace environments, a moderating effect which was stronger among youth with high EF deficit. The moderating effect of greenspace did not differ between girls and boys. Greenspace may play an important role in moderating peer influences on substance use among disadvantaged, urban adolescents, and such moderation may differ according to an individual's level of EF. This research provides evidence of differences in environmental susceptibility regarding contextual mechanisms of substance use among youth, and it informs the development of targeted substance use interventions that leverage social and environmental influences on adolescent substance use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Mennis
- Department of Geography and Urban Studies, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA; (X.L.); (T.P.M.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Xiaojiang Li
- Department of Geography and Urban Studies, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA; (X.L.); (T.P.M.)
| | - Mahbubur Meenar
- Department of Geography, Planning, and Sustainability, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA;
| | - J. Douglas Coatsworth
- Center for Behavioral Health Research, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA; (J.D.C.); (M.J.M.)
| | - Thomas P. McKeon
- Department of Geography and Urban Studies, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA; (X.L.); (T.P.M.)
| | - Michael J. Mason
- Center for Behavioral Health Research, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA; (J.D.C.); (M.J.M.)
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Abstract
Rapid urbanization worldwide is associated to an increase of population in the urban settings and this is leading to new emerging mental health issues. This narrative mini-review is based on a literature search conducted through PubMed and EMBASE. A total of 113 articles published on the issue of urban mental health have been selected, cited, reviewed, and summarized. There are emerging evidences about the association between urbanization and mental health issues. Urbanization affects mental health through social, economic, and environmental factors. It has been shown that common mental syndromes report higher prevalence in the cities. Social disparities, social insecurity, pollution, and the lack of contact with nature are some of recognized factors affecting urban mental health. Further reserach studies and specific guidelines should be encouraged to help policy makers and urban designers to improve mental health and mental health care facilities in the cities; additional strategies to prevent and reduce mental illness in the urban settings should be also adopted globally.
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Mygind L, Kurtzhals M, Nowell C, Melby PS, Stevenson MP, Nieuwenhuijsen M, Lum JAG, Flensborg-Madsen T, Bentsen P, Enticott PG. Landscapes of becoming social: A systematic review of evidence for associations and pathways between interactions with nature and socioemotional development in children. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 146:106238. [PMID: 33189991 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Existing research indicates that spending time in nature is associated with diverse aspects of children's health and wellbeing. Although fundamental to later life chances and health, no systematic reviews, to our knowledge, have focused specifically on the effects of interaction with nature on socioemotional functioning in childhood. OBJECTIVES Amongst children, what is the consistency of associations between the availability of or spending time in nature on socioemotional function and development? Furthermore, which child behaviours and states independently associate with socioemotional function and availability of or spending time in nature, and what is the consistency of associations between these behaviours and states and contact with nature? DATA SOURCES Embase, Environment Complete, MEDLINE, and APA PsycINFO. Eligible studies were backward and forward snowball-searched. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Studies investigating effects of, or associations between, availability of or interaction with nature on socioemotional or proximal outcomes in children under the age of 12 years were included in this review. STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS The internal validity of studies investigating socioemotional outcomes were based on assessments of elements of study design, conduct, and reporting to identify potential issues related to confounding or other biases. The number of analyses indicating positive, negative, and non-significant associations between availability or interaction with green space and the outcomes were summed. RESULTS A total of 223 eligible full-texts, of which 43 pertained to socioemotional outcomes and 180 to proximal outcomes, met eligibility criteria. Positive associations between availability of and spending time in green space were found with children's intra- and interpersonal socioemotional function and development. Proportions of positive findings ranged from 13.9% to 55% across experimental and observational research, exposures, populations, and contexts. Modifying and mediating factors were identified. We found consistent evidence for improved aspects of cognition and, for children over six years, reduced risk of obesity and overweight in association with green space; consistent links between movement behaviours in the experimental, but not observational research; tentative trends suggesting associations with play, motor skills, language, screen time, and communication skills; little evidence for positive associations between green space and mood, physical wellbeing, and stress; some evidence for associations with healthy birth outcomes, and little evidence for direct associations between availability of green space and asthma and allergy prevalence, however, mediation via, for example, air pollution was likely. LIMITATIONS We identified few studies without either probable or severe risk of bias in at least one item. Improved study quality may therefore result in different results. Restricting analyses to include only studies considered at low risk of bias indicated similar or slightly lower proportions of positive findings. Risk of bias in proximal outcomes was not assessed. CONCLUSIONS The empirical evidence for benefits of availability of and interaction green space for child socioemotional function and development must currently be considered limited. A number of proximal indicators were identified. Systematic review registration number. PROSPERO ID CRD42019135016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lærke Mygind
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia; Unit of Medical Psychology, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, The Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Mette Kurtzhals
- Health Promotion Research, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, The Capital Region of Denmark, Gentofte, Denmark
| | - Clare Nowell
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Paulina S Melby
- Section of Sport, Individual and Society, Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Matt P Stevenson
- Health Promotion Research, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, The Capital Region of Denmark, Gentofte, Denmark
| | - Mark Nieuwenhuijsen
- ISGlobal, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiologia y Salud Publica, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jarrad A G Lum
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Trine Flensborg-Madsen
- Unit of Medical Psychology, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Bentsen
- Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, The Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Geoscience and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Peter G Enticott
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
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Tonne C, Adair L, Adlakha D, Anguelovski I, Belesova K, Berger M, Brelsford C, Dadvand P, Dimitrova A, Giles-Corti B, Heinz A, Mehran N, Nieuwenhuijsen M, Pelletier F, Ranzani O, Rodenstein M, Rybski D, Samavati S, Satterthwaite D, Schöndorf J, Schreckenberg D, Stollmann J, Taubenböck H, Tiwari G, van Wee B, Adli M. Defining pathways to healthy sustainable urban development. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 146:106236. [PMID: 33161201 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Goals and pathways to achieve sustainable urban development have multiple interlinkages with human health and wellbeing. However, these interlinkages have not been examined in depth in recent discussions on urban sustainability and global urban science. This paper fills that gap by elaborating in detail the multiple links between urban sustainability and human health and by mapping research gaps at the interface of health and urban sustainability sciences. As researchers from a broad range of disciplines, we aimed to: 1) define the process of urbanization, highlighting distinctions from related concepts to support improved conceptual rigour in health research; 2) review the evidence linking health with urbanization, urbanicity, and cities and identify cross-cutting issues; and 3) highlight new research approaches needed to study complex urban systems and their links with health. This novel, comprehensive knowledge synthesis addresses issue of interest across multiple disciplines. Our review of concepts of urban development should be of particular value to researchers and practitioners in the health sciences, while our review of the links between urban environments and health should be of particular interest to those outside of public health. We identify specific actions to promote health through sustainable urban development that leaves no one behind, including: integrated planning; evidence-informed policy-making; and monitoring the implementation of policies. We also highlight the critical role of effective governance and equity-driven planning in progress towards sustainable, healthy, and just urban development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathryn Tonne
- ISGlobal, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Linda Adair
- Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27516-2524, USA
| | - Deepti Adlakha
- School of Natural and Built Environment, Queen's University Belfast, David Keir Building, 39-123 Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5AG, United Kingdom
| | - Isabelle Anguelovski
- ICREA Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies, 08010 Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; IMIM Medical Research Institute, Hospital del Mar, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Kristine Belesova
- Centre on Climate Change and Planetary Health, Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Maximilian Berger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Campus Charité Mitte, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Christa Brelsford
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Payam Dadvand
- ISGlobal, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Asya Dimitrova
- ISGlobal, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Billie Giles-Corti
- RMIT University, La Trobe Street, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Andreas Heinz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Campus Charité Mitte, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Nassim Mehran
- Humboldt University, Unter den Linden 6, 10099 Berlin, Germany
| | - Mark Nieuwenhuijsen
- ISGlobal, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - François Pelletier
- United Nations Population Division, 2 United Nations Plaza, Rm. DC2-1950, New York, NY 10017 USA
| | - Otavio Ranzani
- ISGlobal, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marianne Rodenstein
- Goethe University, Westend Campus - PEG Building, Theodor-W.-Adorno-Platz 6, 60323 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Diego Rybski
- Potsdam Institute for Climate, P.O. Box 60 12 03, Potsdam 14412, Germany
| | - Sahar Samavati
- Tarbiat Modares University, Jalal Ale Ahmad Highway, 9821 Tehran, Iran
| | - David Satterthwaite
- International Institute for Environment and Development, Unit, 80-86 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8NH, UK
| | - Jonas Schöndorf
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Campus Charité Mitte, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Dirk Schreckenberg
- ZEUS GmbH, Centre for Applied Psychology, Environmental and Social Research, Sennbrink 46, D-58093 Hagen, Germany
| | - Jörg Stollmann
- Institute of Architecture, TU Berlin, Strasse des 17.Juni 135, 10623 Berlin, Germany
| | - Hannes Taubenböck
- Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, Oberpfaffenhofen, Münchener Str. 20, 82234 Weßling, Germany
| | - Geetam Tiwari
- Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, Delhi 110016, India
| | - Bert van Wee
- Delft University of Technology, PO Box 5015, 2600 GA Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Mazda Adli
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Campus Charité Mitte, 10117 Berlin, Germany
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Bijnens EM, Derom C, Thiery E, Weyers S, Nawrot TS. Residential green space and child intelligence and behavior across urban, suburban, and rural areas in Belgium: A longitudinal birth cohort study of twins. PLoS Med 2020; 17:e1003213. [PMID: 32810193 PMCID: PMC7446904 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to green space has beneficial effects on several cognitive and behavioral aspects. However, to our knowledge, no study addressed intelligence as outcome. We investigated whether the level of urbanicity can modify the association of residential green space with intelligence and behavior in children. METHODS AND FINDINGS This study includes 620 children and is part of the East Flanders Prospective Twin Survey (EFPTS), a registry of multiple births in the province of East Flanders, Belgium. Intelligence was assessed with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) in 620 children (310 twin pairs) between 7 and 15 years old. From a subset of 442 children, behavior was determined based on the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Prenatal and childhood residential addresses were geocoded and used to assign green space indicators. Mixed modeling was performed to investigate green space in association with intelligence and behavior while adjusting for potential confounding factors including sex, age, parental education, neighborhood household income, year of assessment, and zygosity and chorionicity. We found that residential green space in association with both intelligence and behavior in children was modified by the degree of urbanicity (p < 0.001). In children living in an urban environment, multivariable adjusted mixed modeling analysis revealed that an IQR increment of residential green space (3,000-m radius) was associated with a 2.6 points (95% CI 1.4-3.9; p < 0.001) higher total intelligence quotient (IQ) and 2.0 points (95% CI -3.5 to -0.4; p = 0.017) lower externalizing behavioral score. In children residing in a rural or suburban environment, no association was found. A limitation of this study is that no information was available on school location and the potential for unmeasured confounding (e.g., time spend outdoors). CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that residential green space may be beneficial for the intellectual and the behavioral development of children living in urban areas. These findings are relevant for policy makers and urban planners to create an optimal environment for children to develop their full potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esmée M. Bijnens
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Catherine Derom
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Centre of Human Genetics, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Evert Thiery
- Department of Neurology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Steven Weyers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tim S. Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Department of Public Health, Leuven University (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
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Dzhambov AM, Browning MHEM, Markevych I, Hartig T, Lercher P. Analytical approaches to testing pathways linking greenspace to health: A scoping review of the empirical literature. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 186:109613. [PMID: 32668553 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inadequate translation from theoretical to statistical models of the greenspace - health relationship may lead to incorrect conclusions about the importance of some pathways, which in turn may reduce the effectiveness of public health interventions involving urban greening. In this scoping review we aimed to: (1) summarize the general characteristics of approaches to intervening variable inference (mediation analysis) employed in epidemiological research in the field; (2) identify potential threats to the validity of findings; and (3) propose recommendations for planning, conducting, and reporting mediation analyses. METHODS We conducted a scoping review, searching PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for peer-reviewed epidemiological studies published by December 31, 2019. The list of potential studies was continuously updated through other sources until March 2020. Narrative presentation of the results was coupled with descriptive summary of study characteristics. RESULTS We found 106 studies, most of which were cross-sectional in design. Most studies only had a spatial measure of greenspace. Mental health/well-being was the most commonly studied outcome, and physical activity and air pollution were the most commonly tested intervening variables. Most studies only conducted single mediation analysis, even when multiple potentially intertwined mediators were measured. The analytical approaches used were causal steps, difference-of-coefficients, product-of-coefficients, counterfactual framework, and structural equation modelling (SEM). Bootstrapping was the most commonly used method to construct the 95% CI of the indirect effect. The product-of-coefficients method and SEM as used to investigate serial mediation components were more likely to yield findings of indirect effect. In some cases, the causal steps approach thwarted tests of indirect effect, even though both links in an indirect effect were supported. In most studies, sensitivity analyses and proper methodological discussion of the modelling approach were missing. CONCLUSIONS We found a persistent pattern of suboptimal conduct and reporting of mediation analysis in epidemiological studies investigating pathways linking greenspace to health; however, recent years have seen improvements in these respects. Better planning, conduct, and reporting of mediation analyses are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel M Dzhambov
- Department of Hygiene and Ecomedicine, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
| | - Matthew H E M Browning
- Department of Park, Recreation, and Tourism Management, Clemson University, Clemson, USA
| | - Iana Markevych
- Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Terry Hartig
- Institute for Housing and Urban Research, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Peter Lercher
- Institute for Highway Engineering and Transport Planning, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
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Putra IGNE, Astell-Burt T, Cliff DP, Vella SA, John EE, Feng X. The Relationship Between Green Space and Prosocial Behaviour Among Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review. Front Psychol 2020; 11:859. [PMID: 32425867 PMCID: PMC7203527 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The plausible role of nearby green space in influencing prosocial behaviour among children and adolescents has been studied recently. However, no review has been conducted of the evidence testing the association between green space and prosocial behaviour. This systematic review addresses this gap among children and adolescents. Within this review, we propose a conceptual framework describing potential pathways linking green space to prosocial behaviour, discuss the direction, magnitude, moderators, and mediators of the association, and develop a narrative synthesis of future study directions. Out of 63 extracted associations from 15 studies, 44 were in the positive or expected direction, of which 18 were reported to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). Overall, the current evidence shows that exposure to green space may potentially increase prosocial behaviour among children and adolescents, with some contingencies (e.g., child's sex and ethnic background). However, the volume and quality of this evidence is not yet sufficient to draw conclusions on causality. Further, heterogeneity in the indicators of green space exposure could lead to mixed findings. In addition, none of the included studies investigated potential mediators. Nevertheless, this review provides preliminary evidence and a basis for further investigation with rigorous study methodology capable of drawing causal inferences and testing potential effect modifiers, linking pathways, and relevant green space measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Gusti Ngurah Edi Putra
- Population Wellbeing and Environment Research Lab (PowerLab), School of Health and Society, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Thomas Astell-Burt
- Population Wellbeing and Environment Research Lab (PowerLab), School of Health and Society, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- National Institute for Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
- School of Public Health, Peking Union Medical College, The Chinese Academy for Medical Sciences and Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Dylan P. Cliff
- School of Education, Early Start, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Stewart A. Vella
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Eme Eseme John
- Population Wellbeing and Environment Research Lab (PowerLab), School of Health and Society, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Xiaoqi Feng
- Population Wellbeing and Environment Research Lab (PowerLab), School of Health and Society, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- National Institute for Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Prescott SL, Bland JS. Spaceship Earth Revisited: The Co-Benefits of Overcoming Biological Extinction of Experience at the Level of Person, Place and Planet. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17041407. [PMID: 32098222 PMCID: PMC7068540 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17041407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Extensive research underscores that we interpret the world through metaphors; moreover, common metaphors are a useful means to enhance the pursuit of personal and collective goals. In the context of planetary health—defined as the interdependent vitality of all natural and anthropogenic ecosystems (social, political and otherwise)—one enduring metaphor can be found in the concept of “Spaceship Earth”. Although not without criticism, the term “Spaceship Earth” has been useful to highlight both resource limitations and the beauty and fragility of delicate ecosystems that sustain life. Rene Dubos, who helped popularize the term, underscored the need for an exposome perspective, one that examines the total accumulated environmental exposures (both detrimental and beneficial) that predict the biological responses of the “total organism to the total environment” over time. In other words, how large-scale environmental changes affect us all personally, albeit in individualized ways. This commentary focuses the ways in which microbes, as an essential part of all ecosystems, provide a vital link between personal and planetary systems, and mediate the biopsychosocial aspects of our individualized experience—and thus health—over our life course journey. A more fine-grained understanding of these dynamics and our power to change them, personally and collectively, lies at the core of restoring “ecosystems balance” for person, place and planet. In particular, restoring human connectedness to the natural world, sense of community and shared purpose must occur in tandem with technological solutions, and will enhance individual empowerment for personal well-being, as well as our collective potential to overcome our grand challenges. Such knowledge can help shape the use of metaphor and re-imagine solutions and novel ways for restoration or rewilding of ecosystems, and the values, behaviors and attitudes to light the path toward exiting the Anthropocene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan L. Prescott
- The ORIGINS Project, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth Children’s Hospital, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
- inVIVO Planetary Health of the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN), West New York, NJ 10704, USA;
- Correspondence:
| | - Jeffrey S. Bland
- inVIVO Planetary Health of the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN), West New York, NJ 10704, USA;
- Personalized Lifestyle Medicine Institute, Tacoma, WA 98443, USA
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Kabisch N, Alonso L, Dadvand P, van den Bosch M. Urban natural environments and motor development in early life. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 179:108774. [PMID: 31606619 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
An emerging body of evidence has associated natural environments with improved brain development in children; however, these studies have mainly focused on cognition and available evidence for motor development is still scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the protective association of neighbourhood greenspace with motor development deficits in children. We obtained data on motor development deficits (separately for fine and gross motor developments) at sub-district level from routine medical check-up of children prior to enrolment into primary schools in the city of Berlin (2015-2016). Neighbourhood natural environments across the sub-districts were measured with three different metrics: the average of satellite-based normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), the share of public green spaces, and the share of both public blue and green spaces (composite nature) across the sub-district. We applied negative binominal models to estimate the association between neighbourhood natural environments and fine and gross motor development deficits (one at a time), controlled for relevant sociodemographic indicators. Higher neighbourhood public green space and composite nature were significantly associated with lower risk of motor development deficits; however, the association were not statistically significant when using NDVI. Our findings, if confirmed by future studies, could provide evidence for implementing targeted interventions to enhance motor development in urban children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadja Kabisch
- Department of Geography, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Unter den Linden 6, 10099, Berlin, Germany; Department of Urban and Environmental Sociology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Lucia Alonso
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Plaça de la Mercè, 10-12, 08002, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain
| | - Payam Dadvand
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Plaça de la Mercè, 10-12, 08002, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain
| | - Matilda van den Bosch
- The School of Population and Public Health, The University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada; The Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, The University of British Columbia, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada.
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43
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Huang B, Liu Y, Feng Z, Pearce JR, Wang R, Zhang Y, Chen J. Residential exposure to natural outdoor environments and general health among older adults in Shanghai, China. Int J Equity Health 2019; 18:178. [PMID: 31752984 PMCID: PMC6868833 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-019-1081-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Exposure to natural outdoor environments (NOE) has been shown to be beneficial to older adults’ health and functioning, yet this assertion has rarely been tested in China. We investigated the relationships between exposure to NOE and older adults’ self-rated health in Shanghai, China and examined whether these relationships varied by sex, age, education and hukou status. Method This cross-sectional study used micro-data sample of the 2010 Shanghai population census, including 7962 older adults nested within 3345 neighbourhoods. Self-rated health was the outcome variable. Four NOE exposure indicators were calculated for each neighbourhood: the amount of surrounding greenness/blueness and proximity to large green/blue spaces. Multilevel logistic regression was employed to explore the association between natural outdoor environment exposure and self-rated health, adjusting for individual-level and neighbourhood-level covariates. Stratified analyses were used to examine variations by sex, age, education and hukou status. Results Older adults living in neighbourhoods with higher surrounding greenness and higher proximity to both green spaces and blue spaces were more likely to report good health. Residential surrounding blueness was not significantly related to self-rated health. Females, those aged 60–69 years, those who had elementary school or junior high school education and those with non-local hukou benefit more from residential surrounding greenness, and those aged 70–79 years and who had elementary school or junior high school education benefit more from residential proximity to blue spaces. Conclusions Higher residential greenness and proximity to both green spaces and blue spaces were associated with better self-rated health, particularly for females, younger older adults, the low educated and non-local hukou holders. Our findings suggest that urban green spaces and urban blue spaces have different effects on health among Chinese older adults and that the assessment of exposure matters to the investigation of NOE-health relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baishi Huang
- School of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China.,Guangdong Key Laboratory for Urbanization and Geo-simulation, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ye Liu
- School of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China. .,Guangdong Key Laboratory for Urbanization and Geo-simulation, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Zhiqiang Feng
- School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jamie R Pearce
- School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ruoyu Wang
- School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Yina Zhang
- School of Social Development and Public Policy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Chen
- School of International and Public Affairs, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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