The Benefits of Natural Environments for Physical Activity

Shanahan, Danielle F.; Franco, Lara; Lin, Brenda B.; Gaston, Kevin J.; Fuller, Richard A.

doi:10.1007/s40279-016-0502-4

Cited by 112 publications

(88 citation statements)

References 81 publications

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“…Although we did not assess the type of physical activity, the strong relationship does suggest that either spending time in nearby nature is a strong motivator for people to engage in physical activity or that more active people spend more time in nearby nature (reviewed by [66]). Either way, these green spaces not only provide important locations to exercise, but there is robust evidence that they also enhance the benefits of physical activity to both physical [66] and mental health [25], which may further motivate people to exercise more.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Doses of Nearby Nature Simultaneously Associated with Multiple Health Benefits

Cox

Shanahan

Hudson

et al. 2017

IJERPH

222

147

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Exposure to nature provides a wide range of health benefits. A significant proportion of these are delivered close to home, because this offers an immediate and easily accessible opportunity for people to experience nature. However, there is limited information to guide recommendations on its management and appropriate use. We apply a nature dose-response framework to quantify the simultaneous association between exposure to nearby nature and multiple health benefits. We surveyed ca. 1000 respondents in Southern England, UK, to determine relationships between (a) nature dose type, that is the frequency and duration (time spent in private green space) and intensity (quantity of neighbourhood vegetation cover) of nature exposure and (b) health outcomes, including mental, physical and social health, physical behaviour and nature orientation. We then modelled dose-response relationships between dose type and self-reported depression. We demonstrate positive relationships between nature dose and mental and social health, increased physical activity and nature orientation. Dose-response analysis showed that lower levels of depression were associated with minimum thresholds of weekly nature dose. Nearby nature is associated with quantifiable health benefits, with potential for lowering the human and financial costs of ill health. Dose-response analysis has the potential to guide minimum and optimum recommendations on the management and use of nearby nature for preventative healthcare.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Doses of Nearby Nature Simultaneously Associated with Multiple Health Benefits

Cox

Shanahan

Hudson

et al. 2017

IJERPH

222

147

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Hartig & Kahn, 2016; Kaplan, 1995), and reducing mental stress (Hull & Michael, 1995). Urban parks also improve physical activity by providing free and comfortable accessible locations (Shanahan, Bush, et al, 2016; Shanahan, Franco, Lin, Gaston, & Fuller, 2016), and improves social cohesion by acting as a forum for social contact among neighbourhood residents (Peters, Elands, & Buijs, 2010). …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Park availability and major depression in individuals with chronic conditions: Is there an association in urban India?

et al. 2017

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Green space exposure has been positively correlated with better mental-health indicators in several high income countries, but has not been examined in low- and middle-income countries undergoing rapid urbanization. Building on a study of mental health in adults with a pre-existing chronic condition, we examined the association between park availability and major depression among 1208 adults surveyed in Delhi, India. Major depression was measured using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. The ArcGIS platform was used to quantify park availability indexed as (i) park distance from households, (ii) area of the nearest park; and within one km buffer area around households - the (iii) number and (iv) total area of all parks. Mixed-effects logistic regression models adjusted for socio-demographic characteristics indicated that relative to residents exposed to the largest nearest park areas (tertile 3), the odds [95% confidence interval] of major depression was 3.1 [1.4-7.0] times higher among residents exposed to the smallest nearest park areas (tertile 1) and 2.1 [0.9-4.8] times higher in residents with mid-level exposure (tertile 2). There was no statistically significant association between other park variables tested and major depression. We hypothesized that physical activity in the form of walking, perceived stress levels and satisfaction with the neighbourhood environment may have mediating effects on the association between nearest park area and major depression. We found no significant mediation effects for any of our hypothesized variables. In conclusion, our results provide preliminary and novel evidence from India that availability of large parks in the immediate neighborhood positively impacts mental well-being of individuals with pre-existing chronic conditions, at the opportune time when India is embarking on the development of sustainable cities that aim to promote health through smart urban design – one of the key elements of which is the inclusion of urban green spaces.

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“…People report greater enjoyment of outdoor exercise compared to equivalent exercise performed indoors (Thompson Coon et al 2011). However, Shanahan et al (2016) identify a knowledge gap in understanding which characteristics of nature are important in promoting physical activity. Exercise also benefits the immune system (Pedersen et al 2007): general exercise releases myokines, and this effect is greater in colder environments, such as when exercising outdoors in a temperate climate.…”

Section: Health Behaviour Including the Promotion Of Physical Activitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, when people exercise in the natural environment, the impact of the two protective factors, exercise and greenspace, acting together may be greater than simply summing the positive effects (i.e. may be synergistic: Shanahan et al 2016). The protective effect of greenspace begins early in life: among children, those with access to gardens and greenspace were less likely to be obese at age 7 years (Schalkwijk et al 2018).…”

Section: Physical Health -Non-communicable Diseasementioning

confidence: 99%

Biodiversity and Health in the Face of Climate Change: Implications for Public Health

Cook

Howarth

Wheater

2019

Biodiversity and Health in the Face of Climate Change

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A biodiverse natural environment is a health-promoting resource. A given habitat can simultaneously provide multiple ecosystem (and therefore health) benefits, both directly through, for example, flood risk mitigation and cooling, and indirectly as a resource for cultural and physical activities. The single biggest priority for public health is to work across governments and countries to protect biodiverse natural resources and introduce measures to stem climate change. At a more local level, public health professionals are responsible for devising strategies to promote sustainable lifestyles and facilitate access to natural environments. Modern public health emphasises the reduction of avoidable differences in ill health between the most and least well-off in society. Such strategies therefore need to target those from socioeconomically deprived areas, who are most at risk of ill health. Schemes such as nature-based social prescribing or community referral give local commissioners of health services the opportunity to bring people into contact with nature. Those with responsibility for the provision of nature-based schemes should be encouraged to use interventions that bring people into active, rather than passive, contact with nature. Further, targeting such interventions towards exposure to environments with the greatest biodiversity is likely to offer the greatest benefits for human health.

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The Benefits of Natural Environments for Physical Activity

Cited by 112 publications

References 81 publications

Doses of Nearby Nature Simultaneously Associated with Multiple Health Benefits

Doses of Nearby Nature Simultaneously Associated with Multiple Health Benefits

Park availability and major depression in individuals with chronic conditions: Is there an association in urban India?

Biodiversity and Health in the Face of Climate Change: Implications for Public Health

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