Kids BMI Lowered By Neighborhood Greenness

Posted on October 20th, 2009.

Going green is more than just a cleaner energy source. It’s about your child’s health. When it comes to kids, the greener the neighborhood, the lower the chance of obesity, regardless of residential density.A study conducted by researchers from the Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and the University of Washington

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reports findings that show kids BMI (body mass index) directly relates to the amount of neighborhood greenness. Not just solely based upon the amount of parks, but satellite images were used to help determine greennessfactoring. The study included children whose residence didn’t change over 24 months, ages 3 – 18 years old.

Higher neighborhood greenness was associated with slower increases in body mass index over time, regardless of age, race or sex. This slowing of body mass index could correspond with reduced risk of child obesity in the long term. The inner city children in the study were predominantly African-American, poor, and publicly insured. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081028074327.htm

A slow increase in a kids BMI is a healthy BMI. As they grow, naturally the BMI will increase as well. Children need physical activity, not only for their bones and muscles, but for proper brain development to. A non-moving child, no matter how intelligent, loses out on important growth factors and muscle memory imprints difficult or impossible to accomplish later in life.

Understanding the relationship between a greener neighborhood and slower kids BMI make sense. While not all children can go outside to play all the time, (it is impractical in many instances of inner city life) it is advisable and doable given the inclination. As one Dr. says “I love the idea we can use landscape for health.” On a depressing and actually alarming note: During the past 30 years, obesity has doubled in children age 2 - 5 and age 12 - 19 years and has tripled in children between 6 - 11 years of age, according to the Institute of Medicine.

Go green, outside and in!
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