Children have better mental health in “greener” upbringing, study shows

March 5, 2019

More and more children live and play in the city, and the fast-paced lifestyle is a contributing factor to mental illness later in life – an increasing estimate by the World Health Organisation (WHO). However, a study from Aarhus University, Denmark,aims to counter the damage, for posterity.

For the study, researchers used satellite data to map the presence of green space around the childhood homes of almost one million Danes. Conclusive data has showed that children surrounded by high amounts of green space in childhood have up to a 55% lower risk of developing a known mental disorder – even after adjusting for other possible risk factors such as socio-economic status, urbanization, and family history of mental disorders.

The Danish researchers are aware that distinct factors of city life, such as noise, air pollution, infections and poor socio-economic conditions increase the risk of developing a mental disorder, but have noted a robust indication of a close relationship between green space, urban life, and mental health.

Lead researcher Kristine Engemann of the Department of Bioscience and the National Centre for Register-based Research at Aarhus University, has remarked on the uniqueness of the study data, which proves the need for a natural environment throughout childhood for developing mental stability.

Previous studies have already showed that more green space in the local area enhances a child’s cognitive development, creates greater social cohesion and increases physical activity levels.

Co-author Professor Jens-Christian Svenning of the Department of Bioscience at Aarhus University has added that the link between mental health and access to green space in any local area should be the chief consideration in urban planning to ensure greener and healthier cities and to improve the mental health of city-dwellers in the future.

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