Effects of green space on physical activity and body weight status among Chinese adults: a systematic review

Song, Yiling; Li, Haoxuan; Yu, Hongjun

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1198439

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 77 publications

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“…In our comprehensive review of 26 studies, 19 of them revealed a positive correlation between street greenery and various aspects of active travel, including the duration and distance of travel, participation probability, frequency, and satisfaction. These findings align with prior research, emphasizing the positive impact of green spaces on physical activity among Chinese adults (50) and associating street greenery with increased active commuting (51). However, inconsistencies surfaced across different variables, primarily attributed to variations in measurement methods.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

The impact of street greenery on active travel: a narrative systematic review

Yu,

Zhang,

Dong

et al. 2024

Front. Public Health

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BackgroundStreet greenery may have a profound effect on residents’ active travel (AT), a mode of transportation involving walking and cycling. This study systematically reviewed the scientific evidence on the effects of street greenery on active travel.MethodsA comprehensive search was performed using keywords and references in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library. The review included studies that met the following criteria: (1) Study design: experimental studies, cross sectional studies, (2) Participants: individuals of all ages, (3) Exposure variables: street greenery, including street vegetation (e.g., trees, shrubs, and lawns), (4) Outcomes: active travel behaviors (walking, cycling), (5) Article type: peer-reviewed articles, (6) Search time window: from the inception of relevant electronic literature database until 21 June 2023, (7) Geographic scope: worldwide; (8) Language: articles in English.ResultsTwenty-six cross-sectional studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. These studies employed objective metrics for assessing street greenery and varied methodologies to measure AT, including 14 using subjective measurements (like self-reported surveys), 10 using objective data (such as mobile app analytics), and two studies combined both approaches. This review identifies a generally positive impact of street greenery on active travel in various aspects. However, the extent of this influence varies with factors such as temporal factors (weekdays vs. weekends), demographic segments (age and gender), proximity parameters (buffer distances), and green space quantification techniques. Street greenness promotes active travel by enhancing environmental esthetics, safety, and comfort, while also improving air quality, reducing noise, and fostering social interactions. In addition, the study suggests that variables like weather, seasonality, and cultural context may also correlate with the effectiveness of street greenery in encouraging active travel.ConclusionStreet greenery positively influences active travel, contributing to public health and environmental sustainability. However, the findings also indicate the need for more granular, experimental, and longitudinal studies to better understand this relationship and the underlying mechanisms. These insights are pivotal for urban planners and policymakers in optimizing green infrastructure to promote active transportation, taking into account local demographics, socio-economic factors, and urban design.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

The impact of street greenery on active travel: a narrative systematic review

Yu,

Zhang,

Dong

et al. 2024

Front. Public Health

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“…Higher evaluation scores indicate higher quality of the included literature. The strength of the scientific evidence was measured using study quality assessment, however, the inclusion of research was not taken into consideration [ 27 , 28 ]. The specific criteria and results of the literature quality evaluation can be found in Supplement 1 .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of neighborhood built environment on cognitive function in older adults: a systematic review

Song,

Liu,

Bai

et al. 2024

BMC Geriatr

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Background In the background of an aging population, the risk of cognitive impairment in the older population is prominent. Exposure to complex neighborhood built environments may be beneficial to the cognitive health of older adults, and the purpose of this study was to systematically review the scientific evidence on the effects of neighborhood built environments on cognitive function in older adults. Methods Keywords and references were searched in Web of Science, Pubmed, PsycINFO, and MEDLINE. Studies examining the relationship between the built environment and cognitive function in older adults were included. The neighborhood built environment as an independent variable was classified according to seven aspects: density, design, diversity, destination accessibility, public transportation distance, blue/green space, and built environment quality. The cognitive function as the dependent variable was classified according to overall cognitive function, domain-specific cognitive function, and incidence of dementia. The quality of the included literature was assessed using the National Institutes of Health's Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Study Quality Assessment Tool. Results A total of 56 studies were included that met the inclusion criteria, including 31 cross-sectional studies, 23 longitudinal studies, 1 cross-sectional study design combined with a case-control design, and 1 longitudinal study design combined with a case-control design. Most of the studies reviewed indicate that the built environment factors that were positively associated with cognitive function in older adults were population density, street connectivity, walkability, number of public transportation stops around the residence, land use mix, neighborhood resources, green space, and quality of the neighborhood built environment. Built environment factors that were negatively associated with cognitive function in older adults were street integration, distance from residence to main road. The relationship between residential density, destination accessibility, and blue space with cognitive function in older adults needs to be further explored. Conclusion Preliminary evidence suggests an association between the neighborhood built environment and cognitive function in older adults. The causal relationship between the built environment and cognitive function can be further explored in the future using standardized and combined subjective and objective assessment methods, and longitudinal or quasi-experimental study designs. For public health interventions on the cognitive health of older adults, it is recommended that relevant authorities include the neighborhood built environment in their intervention programs.

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“…There is increasing evidence that supports the health benefits of exposure to nature [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13], and engaging in nature-based activities [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28]. Allied health professionals (AHPs) can play an important role in improving people's access to and use of nature, by working with individual patients/clients, communities and from a broader public health perspective, including advocacy for and input into the design of public natural environments.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While there has been a shift away from healthcare settings in nature, there has been an increase in research into the benefits of exposure to nature (e.g. green [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] and blue spaces [2,10,13]), and nature-based activities to improve health and wellbeing [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28]. Allied health professionals are well placed to integrate NBAs -by encompassing outdoor and indoor nature-based activities which may be recommended or directly engaged in with the patient/ client, and advocacy for or the provision of improvements to natural spaces -into their practice.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nature-based allied health: current practice, challenges and opportunities

Stanhope,

Foley,

Butler

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Purpose: To guide the effective use of nature-based approaches, we aimed to determine current practice, challenges and proposed solutions concerning the use of these approaches by allied health professionals (AHPs). We also investigated the signs, symptoms and conditions AHPs believe nature-based approaches may prevent and/or manage, as well as the perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: Allied health professionals who used or wanted to use in nature-based approaches in Australia were invited to complete an online questionnaire. Qualitative data were analysed through inductive coding and categorisation, while descriptive statistics were reported for the quantitative data. Results: Allied health professionals indicated that exposure to nature could prevent and/or manage a range of physical and mental health, social and developmental outcomes. Perceived challenges were identified, related to the patients/clients, AHPs themselves, and external factors. Recommended solutions included increasing education for AHPs and the general public, advancing more research, implementing changes to governance, and legitimisation of nature-based approaches as part of allied health practice. Conclusions: Increasing awareness and evidence of the use of nature-based approaches among the AHPs and across sectors - particularly with policy, education, funding, and health management - will support their legitimacy and potential benefit a range of populations.

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Effects of green space on physical activity and body weight status among Chinese adults: a systematic review

Cited by 7 publications

References 77 publications

The impact of street greenery on active travel: a narrative systematic review

The impact of street greenery on active travel: a narrative systematic review

Effects of neighborhood built environment on cognitive function in older adults: a systematic review

Nature-based allied health: current practice, challenges and opportunities

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