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Title: | Higher surrounding green space is associated with better attention in Flemish adolescents | Authors: | BIJNENS, Esmee VOS, Stijn Verheyen, Veerle V. BRUCKERS, Liesbeth Covaci, Adrian Henauw, Stefaan De Den Hond, Elly Loots, Ilse Nelen, Vera PLUSQUIN, Michelle Schoeters , Greet NAWROT, Tim |
Issue Date: | 2022 | Publisher: | PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD | Source: | Environment international, 159 (Art N° 107016) | Abstract: | Introduction: Previous studies suggested that green space is beneficial for the cognitive development in children. However, evidence in adolescents is limited. Therefore, we aim to investigate green space exposure in association with attention and behaviour in adolescents. Methods: This study includes 596 Flemish adolescents between 13 and 17 years old. Attention was assessed with Stroop Test (selective attention) and Continuous Performance Test (sustained and selective attention). Behaviour was determined based on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Green space was estimated in several radius distances around their current residence and school based on high-resolution land cover data. Multilevel regression analyses were used adjusting for participant's age, sex, education level of the mother, and area deprivation index. Results: Surrounding green space in a 2000 m radius is associated with a faster reaction time in adolescents. An IQR (13%) increment in total green space within 2000 m of the residence and school combined, is associated with a 32.7 ms (95% CI: -58.9 to -6.5; p = 0.02) and a 7.28 ms (95% CI: -11.7 to -2.8; p = 0.001) shorter mean reaction time between the presentation of a stimulus and the response based on the Stroop Test and the Continuous Performance Test. Subdividing green space based on vegetation height, shows that green space higher than 3 m is associated with a faster reaction time of the Continuous Performance Test (-6.50 ms; 95% CI: -10.9 to -2.2; p = 0.004), while low green is not. We did not find an association between green space and behavioural development in adolescents. Conclusions: Our study shows that green space, especially trees, surrounding the residence and school combined is associated with better sustained and selected attention in adolescents. These findings indicate that the availability of green is important for adolescents that are growing up in a rapidly urbanizing world. | Notes: | Bijnens, EM (corresponding author), Agoralaan Bldg D, B-3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium. esmee.bijnens@uhasselt.be |
Keywords: | Green space;Attention;Behaviour;Adolescents | Document URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/1942/36955 | ISSN: | 0160-4120 | e-ISSN: | 1873-6750 | DOI: | 10.1016/j.envint.2021.107016 | ISI #: | WOS:000733713000011 | Rights: | 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). | Category: | A1 | Type: | Journal Contribution | Validations: | ecoom 2023 |
Appears in Collections: | Research publications |
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