Abstract
OPS 29: Green space and neurological effects, Room 411, Floor 4, August 28, 2019, 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM Background: Exposure to greenness has been associated with beneficial effect on cognitive and behaviour development. However, so far no studies addressed intelligence as outcome. We studied if the level of urbanicity can modify the association between residential greenness and intelligence and behaviour in children. Methods: Intelligence was assessed with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) in 614 children (307 twin pairs) between 7 and 15 years old. From a subset of 436 twins neurobehaviour was determined based on the Achenbach Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL). Prenatal and adulthood residential addresses were geocoded and used to assign greenness indicators. Mixed modelling was performed to investigate greenness in association with intelligence and problem behaviour while adjusting for potential confounding factors. Results: We found that the association between residential greenness and both IQ and behaviour in children was modified by the degree of urbanicity (p for interaction = <0.0001). In children living in an urban environment, multivariable adjusted mixed modelling analysis revealed that an IQR increment of residential greenness (3000 m radius) was associated with a 2.7 points (95% CI: 1.4 to 4.0; p=0.0008) higher total IQ and 2.3 points (95% CI: -4.4 to -0.3; p=0.03) lower child behaviour total score. In children residing in a rural or suburban environment no association between residential greenness indicators and IQ or behaviour was found. Conclusions: Our results indicate that children living in urban regions might benefit more from residential greenness than children living in rural areas. These findings are relevant for policy makers and urban planners designing urban environments to create an optimal environment for children to develop their full neuro-cognitive potential.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
