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Posted on Oct 11, 2013, 6 a.m.
Australian team explores the interplay between neighborhood parks and gardens, with mental health and physical activity.
A number of previous studies report that neighborhood parks and gardens promote mental health. Thomas Astell-Burt, from the University of Western Sydney (Australia), and colleagues analyzed data collected in the Australian 45 & Up Study, involving 260.061 Australian men and women, ages 45 and older. The researchers revealed that those men and women living in the greenest neighborhoods were at far less lower a risk of psychological distress, as compared to residents of the least green areas. Further, those in greener neighborhoods were less sedentary. More green space was found to correlate to greater physical activity. The study authors conclude that: “For adults in middle-to-older age, green spaces are not only important for promoting physical activity, but the mental health benefits of greener environs appear contingent upon those active lifestyles.”
Astell-Burt T, Feng X, Kolt GS. “Mental health benefits of neighbourhood green space are stronger among physically active adults in middle-to-older age: Evidence from 260,061 Australians.” Prev Med. 2013 Aug 30.
