The Health Benefits of Children by Different Natural Landscape Contacting Level

Abstract

Previous studies seldom explore the health benefits of different levels of nature exposure on children. 241 valid samples from five primary schools in Hsinchu, Taiwan were investigated. Results showed that comparing to being on school campuses, children would have higher levels of physical activity when visiting neighborhood parks and forest. Only the forest level natural landscape experiences have significant positive impact on enjoying nature, preferences and empathy and sense of belonging. Forest level natural landscape experiences would also positively affect mental health, and physical health is built up through physical activity. Therefore, rural natural settings would be more beneficial to children. © 2016. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies, Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.Keywords: Natural experience, The Connection to Nature Index (CNI) for children; Children's Physical Activity Scale (PAQ-C); Pediatric quality of life questionnaire (PedsQL ™)