Purpose: Feeling connected to nature, or nature relatedness (NR), can positively impact physical and psychological well-being. However, the relationship between NR and dietary behaviors has not been studied. This research examined the relationship between NR and dietary behaviors, including dietary diversity and fruit and vegetable intake. Design Cross-sectional online survey study. Setting Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Subjects Adults (n = 317) over 18 years who resided in Philadelphia, PA. Measures The NR Scale was used to measure participants’ connection to nature. It includes 21 items across three subscales: self, experience, and perspective (total and subscales range from 1 to 5). Dietary Diversity was assessed using the FAO’s standardized tool (scores range from 0 to 9). To calculate dietary diversity, food groups reported were aggregated into nine food categories: starchy staples; dark green leafy vegetables; vitamin A rich fruits/vegetables; other fruits/vegetables; organ meat; meat/fish; eggs; legumes, nuts/seeds; and milk products. The NCI’s 2-item CUP Fruit and Vegetable Screener was used to estimate daily fruit and vegetable intake (cups/day), and socio-demographic questions were asked. Analysis Simple and multivariable regression models were used to examine associations between NR Total and subscale scores with dietary diversity scores and fruit and vegetable intake with NR Total scores and subscale scores. The multivariable models were adjusted for age, race, gender, and income. Results People with higher NR Total ( P < .001), NR Self (P < .001), NR Perspective (P = .002), and NR Experience (P = .002) were more likely to report greater dietary diversity. Those with higher NR Total (P < .001), NR Self (P < .001), and NR Experience (P < .001) reported greater fruit and vegetable intake. Associations remained significant after adjusting for covariates. Conclusion NR was associated with better dietary intake after accounting for socio-demographic indicators. These findings highlight the need for health promotion interventions that enhance NR, such as nature prescription initiatives, urban gardening and greening, and immersion in urban green spaces.
Indoor Ecology (IE) is an emerging research field that aims to develop new approaches and technologies which allow indoor environments and occupants to dynamically co-adapt to each other in order to enhance human wellbeing and productivity while simultaneously optimizing energy efficiency. The central idea in IE is that humans, building systems and the interior environment form a single, integrated complex 'ecosystem'. One way to IE optimization is though lighting, especially daylighting and daylight simulation. Current approaches to energy-efficient buildings emphasize only limited aspects of interior lighting, such as the carbon footprint, without regard to the multiple effects lighting has on human health, wellbeing and productivity which must be considered if truly sustainable interior spaces are to be designed. This paper documents five ongoing investigations which study various aspects of the lighting-human interaction in a variety of circumstances. For example, students in the classroom setting are exposed to wide changes in lighting as well as inadequate light during early classes, likely affecting attention, retention and performance. Subjects displayed a marked preference for natural lighting when given the option; supporting a general hypothesis that daylighting might be a solution to the twin problems of promoting health and productivity while decreasing energy use.
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