Greener Neighborhoods Mean Healthier Kids
[Creative Commons photo by shoe the Linux Librarian]
An Indiana University study found that urban areas with more green space have healthier kids. Childhood obesity has tripled over the past 30 years in children aged six to 11 and is associated with a number of health risks. Greener neighborhoods could help combat that, according to their findings.
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Researchers “adapted methods, originally developed for agricultural and forestry research, to estimate greenness in children’s residential environments.” They used satellite images to identify and measure greenness, defining it as more than just parks. Any healthy plant life visible from the satellite seemed to have an impact.
The theory is that urban vegetation makes neighborhoods more aesthetically pleasing, helps reduce pollution, and encourages outside play. Pediatrician Gilbert Liu, one of the study’s authors says:
Our lifestyle makes us sedentary and less healthy. For children, physical activity is active play and that usually take place outdoors. We need to encourage them to go outside and play. I love the idea that we can landscape for health.
More trees means more than just slimmer kids - it means a better place for all of us to live. Colin Beavan, aka No Impact Man, sums it up perfectly:
Meanwhile, more vegetation means more carbon dioxide taken out of the atmosphere, less storm water run off and its associated toxins into our water ways, the removal of diesel particulates from the air, and a reduced heat island effect, meaning less power used for air conditioning.
Everybody wins! We get healthier kids, healthier neighborhoods, and more beautiful plant life to enjoy.
Ready more on this study at Green Building Elements.
