Study finds lower oxidative stress in children who live and study near
green spaces
The association between green space and oxidative stress was not found to
be related to the frequency of children's physical activity

Date:
March 1, 2022
Source:
Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)
Summary:
A study has analyzed the relationship between exposure to different
green spaces and oxidative stress in children. The study concluded
that greater exposure to vegetation is associated with lower
levels of oxidative stress and that this association is observed
regardless of the children's physical activity.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
A study led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal),
a centre supported by the "la Caixa" Foundation, has analysed, for the
first time, the relationship between exposure to different green spaces
and oxidative stress in children. The study concluded that greater
exposure to vegetation is associated with lower levels of oxidative
stress and that this association is observed regardless of the children's physical activity.


========================================================================== Oxygen is essential for numerous biochemical reactions that keep us alive,
but its oxidation process generates harmful reactive substances that the
body cannot always neutralise quickly or which cause damage that the body
is unable to repair. This results in what is known as oxidative stress,
which causes ageing or even illness.

To date, various studies have shown that having green spaces in the
vicinity of one's home has a positive effect on health, especially because greenness improves mental health and encourages physical exercise, thereby reducing the risk of overweight or obesity. But less attention has been
paid to the direct effects of vegetation on biological processes, such
as inflammation and oxidative stress. This is particularly important
for understanding the role that green spaces can play in respiratory
and allergic diseases.

Study Analysed Over 300 Italian Children In order to determine whether
green spaces might be associated with lower levels of oxidative stress in children, and also whether physical activity plays a role in this possible association, the researchers analysed 323 healthy children aged 8-11 years
from five primary schools in Asti, a small city in north-western Italy.

Parents completed a questionnaire on how often their children engaged in physical activity. Oxidative stress was quantified in urine by measuring
the concentration of the compound isoprostane. Residential and school
greenness were defined according to the Normalised Difference Vegetation
Index (NDVI) and vegetated portion was also estimated. Multisite exposures
were obtained accounting for NDVI around the children's homes and schools, weighted for the time spent in each location.

Possible Explanations Several biological mechanisms could explain this
direct link between green space and oxidative stress in children. Firstly, "increased exposure to these areas may contribute to children's
immune development by bringing them into contact with organisms that
tend to colonise natural environments," commented last author Judith Garcia-Aymerich, researcher and head of the Non-Communicable Diseases and Environment Programme at ISGlobal. Secondly, contact with green spaces
can increase vitamin D synthesis due to ultraviolet radiation from
sunlight. Vitamin D acts as an antioxidant that prevents the negative
effects of oxidative stress and inflammation. Finally, vegetation improves
air quality in urban areas.

No Effect Found for Physical Activity Although proximity to green space
has been associated with increased physical activity, which in turn
affects oxidative stress, the study found no evidence that exercise was involved in the association between green space and oxidative stress.

Garcia-Aymerich concluded: "The short- and long-term health effects
of excess oxidative stress are unknown, so we need to conduct
further research and support city and public-health strategies
that favour greenness." special promotion Get a free digital
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we always get wrong about diet and exercise. Claim_yours_now_>>> ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Barcelona_Institute_for_Global_Health_(ISGlobal). Note: Content may be
edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Giulia Squillacioti, Anne-Elie Carsin, Valeria Bellisario,
Roberto Bono,
Judith Garcia-Aymerich. Multisite greenness exposure and oxidative
stress in children. The potential mediating role of physical
activity.

Environmental Research, 2022; 209: 112857 DOI: 10.1016/
j.envres.2022.112857 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220301131126.htm

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