A study has found that children with more green space near their homes have significantly stronger bones, potentially leading to lifelong health benefits.
Published in the journal JAMA Network Open, the study followed more than 300 children in a region of Flanders, Belgium, that included urban, suburban and rural areas.
Scientists who undertook the study found that the children living in places with 20-25% more natural areas had increased bone strength that was equivalent to half a year’s natural growth.
The study, which is said to be the first of its kind, also found that the risk of having very low bone density was about 65% lower for these children.
Bone strength grows in childhood and adolescence, before plateauing until about the age of 50 and then declining. Increasing the size and accessibility of green spaces for children could therefore prevent fractures and osteoporosis in older people, the researchers said.
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The link between green spaces and stronger bones is likely to result from higher levels of physical activity in children who live near parks, as this spurs bone growth, according to findings of the study. The connection was strongest for green spaces with trees, which the scientists said may be because these were more attractive places to visit.
“The stronger the bone mass is during childhood, the more capacity you have for later in life,” said Prof Tim Nawrot, at Hasselt University in Belgium, who was part of the study team with Dr Hanne Sleurs and others. “So the real public health message from this study is that urban planners can make stronger bones of children, and that has long-lasting consequences.”
Previous research has found greater access to green spaces increases physical activity in children. Studies have also discovered multiple benefits for child development, including a lower risk of being overweight, lower blood pressure, higher IQs and better mental and emotional wellbeing.
Green spaces are also linked to better physical and mental health in adults. Woodland walks are estimated to save £185m a year in mental health costs in the UK.
Story was adapted from the Guardian.
