January 28th

By Mutt Mulligan

Study: More school green space = lower BMIs for children

According to the Childhood Obesity Foundation, it is estimated that over 150 million children in the world are obese. Even more sobering? That number is expected to increase to 206 million by the year 2025. Childhood obesity is associated with a number of serious health complications, including type 2 diabetes.

A recent study  suggests that part of the solution to childhood obesity could be greening our communities. To conduct the study, scientists analyzed 1,148 primary school students in Hong Kong. They determined that children attending schools in areas with greener surroundings were more likely to engage in active school transport (i.e. walking or riding bikes) and had overall lower body mass indexes (BMI).

Scientists say the findings demonstrate the importance of greening the areas around schools. Furthermore, they argue that this research offers planning guidance on how to address obesity problems in children.

To learn more about the value of green spaces for children and adults alike, check out the TurfMutt Foundation’s Living Landscapes Fact Book. It is chock-full of scientific stats and fun facts about our living landscapes.