A recent study involving 35,000 children from eight countries has discovered a strong correlation between exposure to green spaces in early childhood and improved lung function. The study, conducted by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), has been published in Environment International.
The research analyzed data from 10 European birth cohorts across 8 countries, including Denmark, France, Italy, Lithuania, Norway, the Netherlands, Spain, and the UK. The analysis was carried out at an individual level for each participant.
The study examined the impact of green spaces on lung function by utilizing the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) within a 300m radius of the participants’ addresses as a proxy for residential green space. The NDVI utilizes satellite imagery to estimate the vegetation density at a specific location.
Lung function was assessed through spirometry tests. Forced vital capacity (FVC), which measures the maximum air volume exhaled after a deep breath, and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), indicating how open the airways are, were used as indicators of lung function.
The statistical analysis revealed that children residing in greener neighborhoods exhibited enhanced lung function, particularly higher FVC and FEV1. Conversely, those living farther from green spaces showed lower lung capacities.
Although the positive association between green neighborhood living and lung function was consistent across different socioeconomic backgrounds, the effect was more pronounced in children from higher socioeconomic statuses. According to Amanda Fernandes, the first author and former researcher at ISGlobal, families with higher education or income may have access to better-maintained green spaces, possibly explaining the stronger impact on lung function.
Possible Mechanisms
The study also investigated the link between residential greenness during pregnancy and childhood and respiratory health indicators. The results suggested a significant relationship between green spaces and improved lung function during childhood rather than pregnancy.
Researchers highlighted several mechanisms through which green spaces could influence lung function, including the reduction of air pollution, exposure to beneficial microbiota enhancing the immune system, and the promotion of physical activity through nearby play areas, crucial during lung development in childhood.
Martine Vrijheid, the lead author of the study and co-director of the Environment and Health over the Lifecourse programme at ISGlobal, emphasized the importance of integrating green spaces into urban settings for enhanced respiratory health in children and addressing urban planning to combat inequality.
Health Outcomes Unrelated to Green Spaces
In addition to lung function, the study explored whether green spaces during pregnancy and childhood were associated with other health outcomes such as respiratory, cardiometabolic, and neurodevelopmental issues but found no significant associations.
The research was part of the EU Child Cohort Network, conducted within the framework of the European Union-funded LifeCycle, EUCAN-Connect, and ATHLETE projects, utilizing a harmonized data analysis platform. The study included cohorts from various countries, such as the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Denmark, France, Spain, Lithuania, Norway, and Italy.
