Higher surrounding green space is associated with better attention in Flemish adolescents

Esmée M Bijnens; Stijn Vos; Veerle V Verheyen; Liesbeth Bruckers; Adrian Covaci; Stefaan De Henauw; Elly Den Hond; Ilse Loots; Vera Nelen; Michelle Plusquin; Greet Schoeters; Tim S Nawrot

doi:10.1016/j.envint.2021.107016

Higher surrounding green space is associated with better attention in Flemish adolescents

Environ Int. 2022 Jan 15:159:107016. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.107016. Epub 2021 Dec 9.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium; Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: esmee.bijnens@uhasselt.be.
² Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium.
³ VITO, Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium.
⁴ I-BioStat, Data Science Institute, Hasselt University, Martelarenlaan 42, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium.
⁵ Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium.
⁶ Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
⁷ Provincial Institute of Hygiene, Kronenburgstraat 45, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium.
⁸ Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Antwerp, Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium.
⁹ Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium; Department of Public Health, Leuven University (KU Leuven), Kapucijnenvoer 35, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.

PMID: 34896669
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.107016

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.

Keywords: Adolescents; Attention; Behaviour; Green space.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Attention*
Humans
Parks, Recreational*
Residence Characteristics