Body mass index and association with use of and distance from places for physical activity and active leisure among schoolchildren in Brazil. Cross-sectional study

Abstract

Living closer to parks/playgrounds was associated with lower BMI and WC among schoolchildren from low-income families. Living closer to football pitches was associated with higher BMI and WC among these schoolchildren. Living at intermediate distances from beaches was associated with lower BMI among these schoolchildren.

Why a New Research Agenda on Green Spaces and Health Is Needed in Latin America: Results of a Systematic Review

“…For the 19 studies included 14 were cross-sectional [ 16 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ], 3 ecological studies [ 30 , 31 , 32 ], and 2 longitudinal cohorts [ 33 , 34 ] ( Figure 2 ). Nine studies were conducted in Brazil [ 16 , 19 , 20 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 33 ], six in Mexico [ 24 , 25 , 31 , 32 , 34 , 35 ], three in Colombia [ 21 , 22 , 23 ], and one in Chile [ 18 ] ( Figure 2 ). The studies were published between 2007 and 2019.…”

“…The population ranged between 120 and 103 million individuals. In terms of age, nine studies focused on adults [ 16 , 20 , 22 , 24 , 25 , 27 , 29 , 34 , 35 ], five on individuals older than 50 years [ 21 , 26 , 28 , 33 , 34 ], two on the whole population [ 31 , 32 ], one included adults and teenagers [ 18 , 23 ], and one only included children [ 19 ] ( Figure 2 ).…”

“…The exposure to green spaces was included using five general definitions. Eight studies used green space density or proximity [ 16 , 19 , 21 , 22 , 24 , 27 , 28 , 34 ], five used green presence [ 18 , 20 , 26 , 29 , 33 ], four used an index that incorporated an element such as vegetation, nature or parks [ 25 , 30 , 31 , 32 ], and two used green space or park visit [ 23 , 35 ] ( Figure 2 ).…”

“…Specifically, studies included psychiatric symptoms [ 18 ], non-psychotic mental disorders [ 27 ], depressive symptoms [ 24 , 25 ], depression [ 34 ], and cognitive function [ 35 ] as mental health outcomes. Four studies focused on overweight and obesity [ 26 , 29 ], excess weight [ 20 ], body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference [ 19 ]. Three studies focused on quality of life [ 21 , 22 , 23 ].…”

“…Overall, associations between green spaces and health outcomes were found in eleven studies [ 16 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 27 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 35 ], of which eight had a cross-sectional design [ 16 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 27 , 35 ] and three were ecological studies [ 30 , 31 , 32 ]. Among the cross-sectional studies the association was found between: (a) higher residential vegetation exposure, using normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), in groups with lower risk of non-psychotic mental disorders and low-income (in a buffer 400 m from home odd ratio (OR) =0.59 (95% confidence intervals (CI)0.35–0.99), and in a buffer 1500 m from home OR =0.52 (95% CI 0.30–0.91) [ 27 ]; (b) between better quality of life and park visit with a companion (PR = 1.12 (95% CI 1.01–1.25)), and tree condition status (prevalence ratio (PR) =1.20(95% CI 1.07–1.34)) [ 23 ]; (c) between green space visits and cognitive functions (no OR was reported, but the positive association was described in the study) [ 35 ]; (d) between public park density in the neighborhood and better self-rated health (OR = 1.31(95% CI 1.01–1.71)) [ 21 ]; (e) amount of green spaces and risk of cardiorespiratory hospital admissions (no OR was reported, but the study described a significant positive association per 1 km 2 of green areas and the reduction in two hospital admissions) [ 16 ]; (f) between home distance to parks or playground and less body mass index (BMI) (β = −2.15 (95% CI −2.53 to −1.77)) [ 19 ]; (g) between park factor, an exposure combination between park density and size, and quality of life, specifically on a positive perception about the future (OR= 1.20 (95% CI 1.10–1.14)) [ 22 ]; finally, (h) between presence of parks, squares and locations for physical activity and less excess weight (PR= 0.86 (95% CI 0.73–0.99)) [ 20 ].…”