A study of community design, greenness and physical activity in children using satellite, GPS and accelerometer data
TL;DR: An epoch-level analysis found momentary greenness exposure was positively associated with the likelihood of contemporaneous moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and this association was stronger for smart growth residents who experienced a 39% increase in odds of MVPA.
About: This article is published in Health & Place.The article was published on 2012-01-01 and is currently open access. It has received 305 citations till now.
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Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich1, Uppsala University2, Tel Aviv University3, Oregon State University4, Medical University Plovdiv5, Wageningen University and Research Centre6, Pompeu Fabra University7, University of British Columbia8, Technische Universität München9, University of Edinburgh10, University of Wollongong11
TL;DR: In this article, potential pathways linking greenspace to health are presented in three domains, which emphasize three general functions of greenspace: reducing harm (e.g., reducing exposure to air pollution, noise and heat), restoring capacities (i.e., attention restoration and physiological stress recovery), and encouraging physical activity and facilitating social cohesion). Interrelations between among the three domains are also noted.
1,187 citations
Cites background from "A study of community design, greenn..."
...However, most studies to date, with only a few exceptions (Kaczynski et al., 2009; Mitchell, 2013; Ord et al., 2013; Ou et al., 2016; Schipperijn et al., 2013; de Vries et al., 2013; Almanza et al., 2012), have considered only the amount (duration, intensity) of physical activity conducted, and not whether the activity was performed in a greenspace or another setting....
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...…only a few exceptions (Kaczynski et al., 2009; Mitchell, 2013; Ord et al., 2013; Ou et al., 2016; Schipperijn et al., 2013; de Vries et al., 2013; Almanza et al., 2012), have considered only the amount (duration, intensity) of physical activity conducted, and not whether the activity was…...
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...Greenspace is likely to provide a safe, accessible and attractive setting in which to conduct physical activity (Almanza et al., 2012; Mytton et al., 2012; Astell-Burt et al., 2014d)....
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TL;DR: There is consistent evidence that greenness exposure during pregnancy is positively associated with birth weight, though findings for other birth outcomes are less conclusive.
Abstract: Researchers are increasingly exploring how neighborhood greenness, or vegetation, may affect health behaviors and outcomes. Greenness may influence health by promoting physical activity and social contact; decreasing stress; and mitigating air pollution, noise, and heat exposure. Greenness is generally measured using satellite-based vegetation indices or land-use databases linked to participants' addresses. In this review, we found fairly strong evidence for a positive association between greenness and physical activity, and a less consistent negative association between greenness and body weight. Research suggests greenness is protective against adverse mental health outcomes, cardiovascular disease, and mortality, though most studies were limited by cross-sectional or ecological design. There is consistent evidence that greenness exposure during pregnancy is positively associated with birth weight, though findings for other birth outcomes are less conclusive. Future research should follow subjects prospectively, differentiate between greenness quantity and quality, and identify mediators and effect modifiers of greenness-health associations.
648 citations
TL;DR: A systematic review of published literature found consistent negative association between urban green space exposure and mortality, heart rate, and violence, and positive association with attention, mood, and physical activity in urban settings.
Abstract: Background: Over half of the world’s population now lives in urban areas, and this proportion is expected to increase. While there have been numerous reviews of empirical studies on the link between nature and human health, very few have focused on the urban context, and most have examined almost exclusively cross-sectional research. This review is a first step toward assessing the possibility of causal relationships between nature and health in urban settings. Methods: Through systematic review of published literature, we explored the association between urban green space and human health. Results: We found consistent negative association between urban green space exposure and mortality, heart rate, and violence, and positive association with attention, mood, and physical activity. Results were mixed, or no association was found, in studies of urban green space exposure and general health, weight status, depression, and stress (via cortisol concentration). The number of studies was too low to generalize about birth outcomes, blood pressure, heart rate variability, cancer, diabetes, or respiratory symptoms. Conclusions: More studies using rigorous study design are needed to make generalizations, and meta-analyses, of these and other health outcomes possible. These findings may assist urban managers, organizations, and communities in their efforts to increase new or preserve existing green space.
536 citations
TL;DR: Higher levels of neighborhood green space were associated with significantly lower levels of symptomology for depression, anxiety and stress, after controlling for a wide range of confounding factors.
Abstract: Green space is now widely viewed as a health-promoting characteristic of residential environments, and has been linked to mental health benefits such as recovery from mental fatigue and reduced stress, particularly through experimental work in environmental psychology. Few population level studies have examined the relationships between green space and mental health. Further, few studies have considered the role of green space in non-urban settings. This study contributes a population-level perspective from the United States to examine the relationship between environmental green space and mental health outcomes in a study area that includes a spectrum of urban to rural environments. Multivariate survey regression analyses examine the association between green space and mental health using the unique, population-based Survey of the Health of Wisconsin database. Analyses were adjusted for length of residence in the neighborhood to reduce the impact of neighborhood selection bias. Higher levels of neighborhood green space were associated with significantly lower levels of symptomology for depression, anxiety and stress, after controlling for a wide range of confounding factors. Results suggest that “greening” could be a potential population mental health improvement strategy in the United States.
514 citations
TL;DR: Greenspace research has been driven by an emerging interest in the impact that biodiversity and ecosystem function has on life in urban areas as mentioned in this paper. But less than half of the 125 journal articles reviewed defined what greenspace was in their study; although many articles implied a definition.
397 citations
References
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TL;DR: Objective and subjective measures of physical activity give qualitatively similar results regarding gender and age patterns of activity, however, adherence to physical activity recommendations according to accelerometer-measured activity is substantially lower than according to self-report.
Abstract: Purpose:To describe physical activity levels of children (6-11 yr), adolescents (12-19 yr), and adults (20+ yr), using objective data obtained with accelerometers from a representative sample of the U.S. population.Methods:These results were obtained from the 2003-2004 National Health and Nu
6,762 citations
TL;DR: Variables that were consistently associated with children's physical activity were sex (male), parental overweight status, physical activity preferences, intention to be active, perceived barriers, previous physical activity, healthy diet, program/facility access, and time spent outdoors.
Abstract: SALLIS, J. F., J. J. PROCHASKA, and W. C. TAYLOR. A review of correlates of physical activity of children and adolescents. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 32, No. 5, pp. 963‐975, 2000. Background: Understanding the factors that influence physical activity can aid the design of more effective interventions. Previous reviews of correlates of youth physical activity have produced conflicting results. Methods: A comprehensive review of correlates of physical activity was conducted, and semiquantitative results were summarized separately for children (ages 3‐12) and adolescents (ages 13‐18). The 108 studies evaluated 40 variables for children and 48 variables for adolescents. Results: About 60% of all reported associations with physical activity were statistically significant. Variables that were consistently associated with children’s physical activity were sex (male), parental overweight status, physical activity preferences, intention to be active, perceived barriers (inverse), previous physical activity, healthy diet, program/facility access, and time spent outdoors. Variables that were consistently associated with adolescents’ physical activity were sex (male), ethnicity (white), age (inverse), perceived activity competence, intentions, depression (inverse), previous physical activity, community sports, sensation seeking, sedentary after school and on weekends (inverse), parent support, support from others, sibling physical activity, direct help from parents, and opportunities to exercise. Conclusion: These consistently related variables should be confirmed in prospective
4,382 citations
Book•
29 Jun 1995
TL;DR: A: Introduction 1. Spatial data analysis 2. Computers and Spatial Data Analysis B: The Analysis of Data Associated with Points 3. Methods Relating to Point Patterns 4. Methodsrelating to Marked Point Patterns 5. MethodsRelating to a Continuously Varying Attribute Sampled at Points.
Abstract: A: Introduction 1. Spatial Data Analysis 2. Computers and Spatial Data Analysis B: The Analysis of Data Associated with Points 3. Methods Relating to Point Patterns 4. Methods Relating to Marked Point Patterns 5. Methods Relating to a Continuously Varying Attribute Sampled at Points C: The Analysis of Data Associated with Areas 6. Univariate Analysis of Area Data 7. Analysis of Relationships Between Attributes of Areas 8. Multivariate Methods of Area Data D: The Analysis of Data Associated with Lines 9. Network Analysis 10. Spatial Interaction Models
2,168 citations
TL;DR: Neighborhood environment was associated with physical activity and overweight prevalence and the reliability and validity of self-reported neighborhood environment subscales were supported.
Abstract: Objectives This study evaluated a neighborhood environment survey and compared the physical activity and weight status of the residents in 2 neighborhoods. Methods On 2 occasions, 107 adults from neighborhoods with differing "walkability" were selected to complete a survey on their neighborhood environment. Physical activity was assessed by self-report and by accelerometer; height and weight were assessed by self-report. Results Neighborhood environment characteristics had moderate to high test-retest reliabilities. Residents of high-walkability neighborhoods reported higher residential density, land use mix, street connectivity, aesthetics, and safety. They had more than 70 more minutes of physical activity and had lower obesity prevalence (adjusted for individual demographics) than did residents of low-walkability neighborhoods. Conclusions The reliability and validity of self-reported neighborhood environment subscales were supported. Neighborhood environment was associated with physical activity and overweight prevalence.
1,780 citations
TL;DR: Physical environment factors have consistent associations with physical activity behavior and further development of ecologic and environmental models, together with behavior-specific and context-specific measurement strategies, should help in further understanding of these associations.
1,589 citations