“Kids Get in Shape with Nature”: A Systematic Review Exploring the Impact of Green Spaces on Childhood Obesity

Alejandre, Julius Cesar; Lynch, Mary

doi:10.3177/jnsv.66.s129

Cited by 11 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Access and exposure to greenspaces has been identified as having positive relationships with health and wellbeing [ 6 , 7 , 16 – 18 , 124 ], mental health [ 7 , 18 , 26 , 27 , 94 , 95 , 124 , 125 ], reduced all-cause mortality [ 8 , 16 , 28 , 29 ], and protective effects against certain non-communicable diseases [ 20 , 28 , 30 , 31 ]. Greenspaces are also positively associated with physical activity [ 7 , 14 , 18 , 22 , 32 – 34 , 94 ] and have a mixed relationship with obesity, with some studies suggesting lack of access to greenspaces as a mediating factor for higher risk of obesity in households with lower education. Nature-based therapies, green care, or green prescription are effective “activators” for improving mental health outcomes and overall health [ 22 , 97 , 114 , 118 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Greenspaces and Health: Scoping Review of studies in Europe

Banwell,

Michel,

Senn

2024

Public Health Rev

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ObjectivesAccess to greenspaces and contact with nature can promote physical activity and have positive effects on physical and mental health. This scoping literature review aims to examine current evidence linking greenspaces and (a) behaviour change, (b) health outcomes and (c) co-benefits.MethodsThis review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA scoping review guidelines. Searches were conducted through PubMed and EMBASE databases for studies published between 2000 and March 2023 with a focus on Europe.Results122 scientific articles and grey literature reports were identified. Access to greenspaces is positively associated with physical and mental health, and reduced risk of all-cause mortality and some non-communicable diseases. Greenspace quality is associated with increased physical activity and reduced risk of obesity. Nature-based therapies or green prescription are effective in improving mental health outcomes and overall health. Importantly, numerous co-benefits of greenspaces are identified.ConclusionIncreasing access to greenspaces for populations with particular attention to greenspace quality is important for co-benefits. Responsible governance and use of greenspaces are crucial to minimize public health risks and human disturbance of nature.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Greenspaces and Health: Scoping Review of studies in Europe

Banwell,

Michel,

Senn

2024

Public Health Rev

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“…Time or duration is a personal efect modifer for blue space engagement [1]. Tus, programme duration should be matched with service users' gender, age, ethnicity, and health conditions [90][91][92][93][94][95][96][97][98][99] because diferent individuals may be in situations that could limit their engagement. Reducing session time might also promote engagement amongst the elderly population [100].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contextual Factors and Programme Theories Associated with Implementing Blue Prescription Programmes: A Systematic Realist Review

Alejandre

Chastin

Irvine

et al. 2023

Health & Social Care in the Community

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Nature-based social prescribing such as “blue prescription” promotes public health and health improvement of individuals with long-term health conditions. However, there is limited evidence explaining the relationship of contexts, mechanisms, and outcomes of implementing blue prescription programmes (BPPs) in health and social care settings that could inform policy and practice. We conducted a systematic realist review by searching PubMed, Web of Science, PsycInfo, Scopus, MEDLINE, and CINAHL for articles published in English between January 2000 and June 2022 about health and social care professionals providing referral to or prescription of blue space activities (e.g., swimming, fishing, surfing, etc.) with health-related outcomes. Components and descriptions of BPP implementation were extracted and used to develop themes of contextual factors used to develop programme theories and a logic model demonstrating the mechanisms of BPP implementation. Sixteen studies with adequate to strong quality were included from 8,619 records. After participating in BPPs referred to or prescribed by health and social care professionals, service users had improvements in their physical, cognitive (mental), social health, and proenvironmental knowledge. Service user-related contextual factors were referral information, free equipment, transportation, social support, blue space environments, and skills of service providers. Programme-related contextual factors were communication, multistakeholder collaboration, financing, and adequate service providers. Programme theories on service user enrolment, engagement, adherence, communication protocols, and programme sustainability explain the mechanisms of BPP implementation. BPPs could promote health and wellbeing if contextual factors and programme theories associated with service users’ characteristics and programme delivery are considered in the design, delivery, and evaluation of BPPs. Our study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020170660).

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“…However, duration could be a modifying factor for nature engagement . Duration of BPPs should be matched with patients' gender (Alejandre and Lynch, 2020;Vert et al, 2019;Elliott et al, 2018), age (Alejandre and Lynch, 2020;Garrett et al, 2019;Helbich et al, 2019;Dempsey et al, 2018), ethnicity (Leeworthy, 2001;Wolch and Zhang, 2004), and health conditions (Wood et al, 2016;Amoly et al, 2014). Increasing choices for BSAs such as dragon boating (Britton et al, 2020), recreational SCUBA diving (Dimmock, 2009), open water swimming (van Tulleken et al, 2018;Huttunen et al, 2004), and cycling near blue spaces (Roberts et al, 2018;Mackay and Neill, 2010;Pretty et al, 2007) could promote inclusivity and attract enrolment and engagement of many individuals with different personal characteristics and health needs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding the contexts and mechanisms of bluespace prescription programmes implemented in health and social care settings: a realist review

Alejandre

Chastin

Irvine

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Background: Nature-based social prescribing programmes such as "bluespace prescription" may promote public health and health improvement of individuals with long-term conditions. However, there is limited systematically synthesised evidence that investigates the contexts and mechanisms of Bluespace Prescription Programmes (BPPs) that could inform programme theories for policy and practice. Methods: We conducted a realist review by searching six databases for articles published between January 2000 and February 2020, in English, about health and social care professionals providing referral to or prescription of blue space activities with health-related outcomes. We developed themes of contextual factors by analysing the contexts of BPPs. We used these contextual factors to develop programme theories describing the mechanisms of BPP implementation. Our study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020170660). Results: Fifteen studies with adequate to strong quality were included from 6,736 records. Service users had improvements on their physical, mental, social health, and environmental knowledge after participating in BPPs referred to or prescribed by health and social care professionals. Patient-related contextual factors were referral information, free equipment and transportation, social support, blue space environments, and skills of service providers. Intervention-related contextual factors were communication, multi-stakeholder collaboration, financing, and adequate service providers. Programme theories on patient enrolment, engagement, adherence, communication protocols, and long-term programme sustainability described the mechanisms of BPP implementation. Conclusion: BPPs could support health and social care services if contextual factors influencing patients and intervention delivery are considered for implementation. Our findings have implications in planning, development, and implementation of similar nature-based social prescribing programmes in health and social care settings. Keywords: sustainable healthcare, social prescribing, blue spaces, bluespace prescriptions

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“Kids Get in Shape with Nature”: A Systematic Review Exploring the Impact of Green Spaces on Childhood Obesity

Cited by 11 publications

References 30 publications

Greenspaces and Health: Scoping Review of studies in Europe

Greenspaces and Health: Scoping Review of studies in Europe

Contextual Factors and Programme Theories Associated with Implementing Blue Prescription Programmes: A Systematic Realist Review

Understanding the contexts and mechanisms of bluespace prescription programmes implemented in health and social care settings: a realist review

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