The impact of greenery on physical activity and mental health of adolescent and adult residents of deprived neighborhoods: A longitudinal study.
The aim of the study is to assess the impact of perceived and objective changes in greenery on physical activity and mental health of adolescents and adults living in severely deprived neighborhoods in the Netherlands. Longitudinal data regarding changes in greenery, walking, cycling, and depressive symptoms (CES-D), were gathered for 401 adolescents and 454 adults, using questionnaires and interviews with local district managers. Multivariate linear regression models examined the association between greenery and outcome variables, correcting for demographic and socioeconomic covariates and season. Overall, the results showed small and non-significant associations, with two exceptions. Objective improvements in greenery were associated with smaller decline in adolescents' leisure time cycling, and improvements in perceived greenery were related to a decrease in adults' depressive symptoms. In addition, there were several subgroup effects. In conclusion, changes in greenery did not yield consistent positive results among residents of severely deprived neighborhoods. However, there are some indications regarding positive effects of greenery in certain subgroups.
Maastricht University, NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Dep. of Health Promotion, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: Jessica.gubbels@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
Jessica S
JS
Gubbels
Maastricht University, NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Dep. of Health Promotion, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: s.kremers@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
Stef P J
SP
Kremers
University of Amsterdam, Dep. of Public Health, PO Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Mariël
M
Droomers
Trimbos Institute, Centre Youth, PO Box 725, 3500 AS, The Netherlands.
Cees
C
Hoefnagels
University of Amsterdam, Dep. of Public Health, PO Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Karien
K
Stronks
Maastricht University, NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Dep. of Health Promotion, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands; Radboud University, Department of Clinical Psychology, PO Box 9104, 6500 HE Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Clemens
C
Hosman
Wageningen UR, Alterra/Cultural Geography, PO Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Sjerp
S
de Vries
D000293:Adolescent; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D004779:Environment Design; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000523:psychology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Depressive symptoms; Deprived neighborhood; Greenery; Physical activity