• Science backs nature as key to children'

    From ScienceDaily@1:317/3 to All on Wed Sep 29 21:30:50 2021
    Science backs nature as key to children's health

    Date:
    September 29, 2021
    Source:
    Washington State University
    Summary:
    The presence of greenspaces near homes and schools is strongly
    associated with improved physical activity and mental health
    outcomes in kids, according to a massive review of data from nearly
    300 studies.



    FULL STORY ==========================================================================
    The presence of greenspaces near homes and schools is strongly associated
    with improved physical activity and mental health outcomes in kids,
    according to a massive review of data from nearly 300 studies.


    ========================================================================== Published online Sept. 29 in the journal Pediatrics, the review conducted
    by Washington State University and University of Washington scientists highlights the important role that exposure to nature plays in children's health.

    Importantly, some of the data examined the effects for kids from
    historically marginalized communities and showed that the benefits of
    nature exposure may be even more pronounced for them.

    "By looking at the full scope of existing quantitative evidence, we were
    able to see the importance of ready access to nature for both physical
    and mental health outcomes in childhood," said Amber Fyfe-Johnson,
    the study's lead author and an assistant professor with WSU's Institute
    for Research and Education to Advance Community Health (IREACH) and the
    Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine.

    "Access to nature -- and the benefits that come with it -- are a
    necessity, not a nicety. Unfortunately, not all kids are able to have
    regular nature contact.

    This is due partly to urbanization, increased screen time and more
    sedentary indoor lifestyles." Lack of nature exposure disproportionately impacts historically marginalized communities that typically have fewer
    nearby residential parks and access to outdoor spaces, Fyfe-Johnson
    added. Families with limited resources and transportation options also
    face barriers to accessing parks and natural areas outside the city.

    Although these findings may seem self-evident to some, and the American
    Academy of Pediatrics routinely recommends outdoor play time, convincing
    data on the health benefits associated with nature exposure have been
    lacking, due partly to inconsistencies in study methodologies and
    definitions of outdoor time. The authors point out that not all time
    spent outside is equal -- a parking lot is not a park, and an urban
    playground without natural elements is not a garden.

    And without strong evidence to support the benefits to kids of spending
    time outside, in nature, there has been little political will to enact or enforce policies that ensure equitable nature contact, said Fyfe-Johnson.

    The researchers position their findings in the context of the nation's
    urgent public health crises around physical inactivity and poor mental
    health, in addition to fundamental sociodemographic inequities in access
    to nature. These disparities and public health emergencies have only
    become further magnified during the COVID-19 pandemic, noted Dr. Pooja
    Tandon, the study's senior author.

    "Making this information available to pediatric health care providers
    and policy makers provides support for practices and policies promoting environmental justice and equitable nature contact for kids in places
    where they live, play and learn," said Tandon, an associate professor
    at Seattle Children's Research Institute.

    Fyfe-Johnson points to prior evidence suggesting that contact with nature
    and greenspace may offer even greater health benefits to disadvantaged populations by counteracting some of the toxic effects of poverty.

    "We sincerely hope our work will help lead to improved access to nature
    and health outcomes for kids, in addition to reducing health disparities
    in childhood," she said.

    ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Washington_State_University. Note:
    Content may be edited for style and length.


    ========================================================================== Journal Reference:
    1. Amber L. Fyfe-Johnson, Marnie F. Hazlehurst, Sara P. Perrins,
    Gregory N.

    Bratman, Rick Thomas, Kimberly A. Garrett, Kiana R. Hafferty,
    Tess M.

    Cullaz, Edgar K. Marcuse, Pooja S. Tandon. Nature and Children's
    Health: A Systematic Review. Pediatrics, 2021; e2020049155 DOI:
    10.1542/ peds.2020-049155 ==========================================================================

    Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210929092631.htm

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