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New Study: Inner City Children Residing in Green Neighborhoods Grow Up Healther

row houses in BaltimoreInner city kids have it hard for a variety of reasons. From poverty to low performing schools, these children often suffer from poor diets and nature deficit disorder.

A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine has found that greener (i.e. vegetation in yards, parks, etc.) inner city neighborhoods result in healthier children.

Researchers from the University of Washington, Indiana University, Purdue University and Indiana University School of Medicine followed more than 3,800 children between the ages of 3 and 16 for over two years. The predominantly African American and poor children’s neighborhoods were measured for “greenness” by using satellite imaging data of vegetation. Janice F. Bell, PhD, University of Washington assistant professor in the department of Health Services at the School of Public Health and Community Medicine, explains the results:

This study’s findings align with previous research linking exposure to green landscapes with health improvements.  Among adults, greenness is associated with less stress and lower [body mass index], improved self-reported health and shorter post-operative recovery periods. Among children and youth, the positive health effects of green landscapes include improved cognitive functioning and reduced attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms.

The study also found children from green city neighborhoods were slimmer, but the study did not consider the ways children live and play in urban environments.

The results of the study are logical and not surprising.  The more nature that surrounds us, even in the concrete jungle, the better it is for our body and souls.  I hope the results of this study will be used to promote the planting of green spaces in more urban environments, instead of leaving it up to the guerilla gardeners.

Image:  Bob Jagendorf on Flickr under a Creative Commons License

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Comments

  1. Summer says

    November 24, 2008 at 4:35 pm

    I read Last Child in the Woods last year so this study doesn’t surprise me at all. What does surprise me is how many kids still grow up with no little green in their lives.

    Reply
  2. Jennifer Lance says

    November 24, 2008 at 4:46 pm

    I know Summer, it is really sad. I can’t imagine not growing up with a yard to explore, at the very least, or a park nearby. I don’t think my kids realize how good they have it living in the mts., of course there are drawbacks to our isolation.

    Maybe we could boost the economy by a providing jobs for people to green our cities.

    Reply
  3. David says

    November 26, 2008 at 6:26 pm

    Jennifer, I just wanted to let you know I am passing the Lemonade Award on to your site. Please click here for more info. Keep up the good work, and see you at StumbleUpon.com!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Environment News Feed » New Study: Inner City Children Residing in Green Neighborhoods Grow Up Healther says:
    December 31, 2008 at 4:33 pm

    […] Read more of this story » […]

    Reply
  2. Greening Foreclosures: Buy a Home in Detroit for $40 and Turn it Into a Green Urban Space : Red, Green, and Blue says:
    March 30, 2009 at 12:37 am

    […] auto industry has done and improve the health of its citizens.  Recent studies have also shown how inner city children that grow up in neighborhoods full of green spaces grow up healthier and happier: This study’s […]

    Reply

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About Eco Child’s Play

Our ethos is to provide news, information, and opinions on natural, green parenting to help your family live a greener, healthier life! Additionally, we offer personal consulting services to help you achieve your green living goals.

Jennifer is a vegetarian, yoga teacher, gardener, hiker, teacher, and mother that has been living off-the-grid for over 20 years.

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