People who have frequented nature during their childhood are less likely to suffer from depression or anxiety in adulthood.
The benefits of the great outdoors on our health are no longer to be proven. But according to a new study carried out in 4 European cities and published in theInternational Journal of Environmental Health, exposure to nature during childhood could carry over into adulthood. More specifically, adults who grew up near green areas have better mental health than those from urban areas.
To reach these conclusions, the researchers carried out an epidemiological study based on a questionnaire completed by 3585 adults aged between 18 and 75 years. The participants indicated information relating to their childhood and in particular on the frequency of their contact with nature. They were also subjected to a psychological test aimed at assessing their state of mental health.
Volunteers who said they had little contact with nature as children had the highest rates of depression or anxiety. Noise and crowds, typical features of large metropolises, have been identified as probable causes responsible for these symptoms.
Improving access to natural spaces in cities
Carried out by scientists from the Institute for Global Health in Barcelona (Spain) and the University of Maastricht (the Netherlands), the study also shows a lower sensitivity to nature in adults who grew up in cities. Although the study has certain limitations, in particular due to the fact that these data were collected from self-reports and that childhood memories may prove to be biased, the authors of the study insist on the need to improve access to green spaces for children and adults.
“Many children in Europe lead an indoor lifestyle, so it would be desirable to make natural outdoor environments available, attractive and safe for them to play in,” said Mark Nieuwenhuijsen, co-author of the report. study and director of the Urban Planning, Environment and Health Initiative (ISGlobal).
Last February, a Danish study conducted by the University of Aarhus and published in the American journal PNAS showed similar results. According to this research, children growing up in a green environment are up to 55% less likely to develop mental disorders when they reach adulthood.
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