Recent research indicates that children living closer to green areas tend to have stronger bones than those surrounded by dense urban infrastructure. The study suggests that greater exposure to nature during childhood supports healthier bone development and may influence health across a person’s life course.
Researchers found that children residing in areas where 20 to 25 percent of the surroundings are green or naturalized showed increased bone strength, comparable to about six months of additional natural growth.
The study, described as the first of its kind and cited by major outlets, notes a markedly reduced risk of very low bone density among these children. In practical terms, the risk was found to be about 65 percent lower for youngsters with greater access to natural spaces.
The risk of very low bone density is roughly 65% lower for children living near nature
Bone strength evolves through childhood and adolescence, stabilizes around mid-life, and then gradually declines. Expanding the availability and accessibility of green spaces for children could help prevent fractures later in life and reduce osteoporosis risk in older adults, according to the study team.
The link between green spaces and robust bones is thought to reflect higher physical activity levels among children who have easy access to parks and natural areas. This relationship appears strongest in forests and tree-rich settings, which tend to attract children and invite ongoing play and movement, essential drivers of bone growth.
Lead author Dr. Tim Nawrot of Hasselt University in Belgium, along with Hanne Sleurs and colleagues, notes that stronger bone mass in youth translates into greater skeletal reserve in adulthood, supporting longevity of bone health.
Earlier work has shown that better access to green spaces increases physical activity in children. Additional benefits observed in childhood include reduced overweight risk, lower blood pressure, higher cognitive performance, and improved mental and emotional well-being. In adults, green spaces correlate with better physical and mental health outcomes, with analyses in the United Kingdom estimating substantial savings in mental health costs tied to woodland exposure.
The study, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, analyzed more than 300 children in the Flanders region of Belgium across urban, suburban, and rural settings. Ultrasound measurements assessed bone density in children aged four to six, with adjustments for age, weight, height, ethnicity, and maternal education.
65% lower risk
Findings indicated that children with 25 percent more green space within 1,000 meters of home showed a 65 percent lower likelihood of very low bone density, defined as measurements in the bottom ten percent. No significant differences emerged between boys and girls.
These results underscore the importance of early bone development, as low bone growth in childhood is a predictor of later osteoporosis risk. While several lifestyle factors were considered, such as screen time, vitamin supplementation, and dairy intake, none showed a meaningful impact on the main outcome in this study.
Two additional studies examining adult bone density and green space data yielded mixed results. In a large sample from southwestern China, a clear connection emerged between the two factors, while a separate study in Hong Kong found no convincing link, possibly due to the city’s dense population and limited green areas.
Reference: JAMA Network Open study details (cite: JAMA Network Open). The environmental health context reflects ongoing investigations into how living environments influence pediatric bone development and long-term health outcomes.
Note: This article summarizes findings from the cited study and related research. It does not include external links. Further inquiries should be directed to official health research publications and repositories.