Camilla Ihlebæk1,2, Geir Aamodt1, Renata Aradi3, Bjørgulf Claussen4, Kine Halvorsen Thorén3. 1. 1 Department of Public Health Science, Faculty of Landscape and Society, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Norway. 2. 2 Faculty of Health and Social Work Studies, Østfold University College, Norway. 3. 3 Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Landscape and Society, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Norway. 4. 4 Institute of Health and Society, Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway.
Abstract
AIMS: The need for studies from more countries on the relationship between urban green space and health has been emphasized. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between two types of measurement of urban green space and self-reported lifestyle-related disorders in Oslo, Norway. METHODS: Self-reported measures on mental disorders, asthma, type 2 diabetes and musculoskeletal pain of 8638 participants in the Oslo Health Study (HUBRO) were linked to two types of green space variables: the vegetation cover greenness derived from satellite data, which shows the city's vegetation cover regardless of property boundaries, and the land use greenness derived from municipal plans showing information about publicly accessible vegetation-covered areas. Associations between greenness and health measures were analysed by logistic regression models controlling for possible individual and contextual confounders. RESULTS: Increasing vegetation cover greenness was associated with fewer self-reported mental disorders for both men and women after controlling for possible confounders. The proportion of women who reported high levels of musculoskeletal pain increased with increasing degrees of both of the greenness measurements, but no significant association was observed for men. No association was found for asthma and diabetes type 2 for either men or women. CONCLUSIONS: Although there was a positive association between vegetation cover greenness and self-reported mental disorders, the main findings showed mixed results. The lack of clear associations between urban green space and lifestyle-related health disorders in Oslo might have been influenced by a large proportion of the inhabitants having easy access to green areas.
AIMS: The need for studies from more countries on the relationship between urban green space and health has been emphasized. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between two types of measurement of urban green space and self-reported lifestyle-related disorders in Oslo, Norway. METHODS: Self-reported measures on mental disorders, asthma, type 2 diabetes and musculoskeletal pain of 8638 participants in the Oslo Health Study (HUBRO) were linked to two types of green space variables: the vegetation cover greenness derived from satellite data, which shows the city's vegetation cover regardless of property boundaries, and the land use greenness derived from municipal plans showing information about publicly accessible vegetation-covered areas. Associations between greenness and health measures were analysed by logistic regression models controlling for possible individual and contextual confounders. RESULTS: Increasing vegetation cover greenness was associated with fewer self-reported mental disorders for both men and women after controlling for possible confounders. The proportion of women who reported high levels of musculoskeletal pain increased with increasing degrees of both of the greenness measurements, but no significant association was observed for men. No association was found for asthma and diabetes type 2 for either men or women. CONCLUSIONS: Although there was a positive association between vegetation cover greenness and self-reported mental disorders, the main findings showed mixed results. The lack of clear associations between urban green space and lifestyle-related health disorders in Oslo might have been influenced by a large proportion of the inhabitants having easy access to green areas.
Authors: Vincenza Gianfredi; Maddalena Buffoli; Andrea Rebecchi; Roberto Croci; Aurea Oradini-Alacreu; Giuseppe Stirparo; Alessio Marino; Anna Odone; Stefano Capolongo; Carlo Signorelli Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-05-12 Impact factor: 3.390