Green cities make for healthier kids

Recently a study was released by researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana University-Purdue, University of Indianapolis and the University of Washington. The results of this study show that green neighborhoods decrease obesity in children regardless of sex, ethnicity or economic status.

In a time when obesity, especially in urban areas, is at an all-time high, this is a really exceptional study. Neighborhood greening doesn't have to mean just parks, but vacant lot gardens and front yard, backyard, and parkway gardens! We as city residents have so much space to green, and there are physiological benefits for adults, as well.

The researchers used satellite images to determine how much vegetation  there was in a neighborhood, then assessed how healthy it was (weeds versus well-cared for parks, etc.). The more green the neighborhood was, the slower increase in body mass index and thus levels of obesity in the children studied. The children ranged in age from three to 18 years of age, and were at the same residence for the 24 months that were studied.