Children with more green space near their homes have significantly stronger bones, a study has found, potentially leading to lifelong health benefits.
The scientists found that the children living in places with 20-25% more natural areas had increased bone strength equivalent to half a year’s worth of natural growth.
The study, the first of its kind, also found that the risk of having very low bone density was about 65% lower for these children.
The strength of bones grows during childhood and adolescence, before plateauing until around age 50 and then declining. Increasing the size and accessibility of green spaces for children can therefore prevent fractures and osteoporosis in older people, the researchers said.
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 encourages bone growth. The link was strongest for green spaces with trees, which the scientists say is possible because they 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 the University of Hasselt. Belgium, who was part of the study team together with Dr Hanne Sleurs and others. “So the real public health message from this study is that urban planners can make children’s bones stronger, and that has long-lasting effects.”
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 mentally and emotional well-being.
Green spaces are also connected on better physically and mental health in adults. Forest walks is estimated to save £185m a year in mental health costs in the UK.
the study room, published in the journal Environmental Healthfollowed more than 300 children in a region of Flanders, Belgium, which included urban, suburban and rural areas.
The bone density of the children was measured using ultrasound at ages four to six years old. The child’s age, weight, height, ethnicity and their mother’s level of education were taken into account.
For example, the results showed that children with 25% more green space within 1,000 meters of their home had a 66% lower risk of having very low bone density, that is, being in the lowest 10% of measurements. No difference was found between the boys and the girls in the study.
The researchers said the results were important because low bone growth at a young age was as crucial to the onset of osteoporosis as bone loss through aging.
The team also tested whether screen time, vitamin supplements or daily consumption of dairy products affected the children’s results, but found no significant impact.
The study showed a strong link between nearby green space and bone strength in children, but was not powered to show a causal relationship. To do this, children will need to wear accelerometers to record their physical activity. “It wouldn’t be a very easy experiment to do,” Nawrot said.
Two recent studies on bone density in adults and green spaces produced conflicting results. An analysis of 66,000 people in southwest China found a significant positive link. But research on 4,000 people aged 65 and over in Hong Kong did not find a convincing association, possibly because Hong Kong is a very densely populated city with little green space.
