The Influence of Green Space on Obesity in China: A Systematic Review
Introduction: This study systematically reviewed scientific evidence concerning the influence of green space on obesity in China. Methods: Keyword and reference search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCO, and CNKI. Predetermined selection criteria included study designs: experimen...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Karger Publishers
2022-05-01
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| Series: | Obesity Facts |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/524857 |
| _version_ | 1811240295743881216 |
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| author | Jing Shen Mengfei Li Qianhui Wang Ruidong Liu Mengmeng Ji Ruopeng An |
| author_facet | Jing Shen Mengfei Li Qianhui Wang Ruidong Liu Mengmeng Ji Ruopeng An |
| author_sort | Jing Shen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: This study systematically reviewed scientific evidence concerning the influence of green space on obesity in China. Methods: Keyword and reference search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCO, and CNKI. Predetermined selection criteria included study designs: experimental and observational studies; subjects: people of all ages; exposures: green space (i.e., any open land partly or entirely covered with grass, trees, shrubs, or other vegetation); outcomes: body weight status (e.g., body mass index [BMI], overweight, or obesity); and country: China. Results: Ten studies met the selection criteria and were included in the review. All studies adopted a cross-sectional design. Overall greenness measures were found to be inversely associated with BMI, overweight, and obesity in most included studies. Street greenness, which measures the perceived greenness at the eye level on streets, was found to be inversely associated with BMI and obesity. By contrast, mixed results were observed for the relationship between green space accessibility and weight outcomes. Air quality was found to mediate the relationship between greenness and obesity. The influence of green space on obesity tended to vary by residents’ gender, age, and socioeconomic status. Boys, women, older residents, and those with lower education or household income were more likely to benefit from greenness exposure. Conclusion: The literature on green space exposure in relation to obesity in China remains limited. Longitudinal and quasi-experimental studies are warranted to assess the causal link between green space and obesity. Future measures should better capture the self-perception, quality, and attractiveness of green space. The underlying pathways through which green space affects residents’ weight outcomes should be further elucidated. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T13:17:40Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a7f0c7ab72ca4e7b8c3ee55d1c0e3b9f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1662-4025 1662-4033 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T13:17:40Z |
| publishDate | 2022-05-01 |
| publisher | Karger Publishers |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Obesity Facts |
| spelling | doaj.art-a7f0c7ab72ca4e7b8c3ee55d1c0e3b9f2022-12-22T03:31:39ZengKarger PublishersObesity Facts1662-40251662-40332022-05-0111010.1159/000524857524857The Influence of Green Space on Obesity in China: A Systematic ReviewJing Shen0Mengfei Li1Qianhui Wang2Ruidong Liu3https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7949-3079Mengmeng Ji4https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1205-0369Ruopeng An5Department of Physical Education, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Physical Education, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Physical Education, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, ChinaSports Coaching College, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USABrown School, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USAIntroduction: This study systematically reviewed scientific evidence concerning the influence of green space on obesity in China. Methods: Keyword and reference search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCO, and CNKI. Predetermined selection criteria included study designs: experimental and observational studies; subjects: people of all ages; exposures: green space (i.e., any open land partly or entirely covered with grass, trees, shrubs, or other vegetation); outcomes: body weight status (e.g., body mass index [BMI], overweight, or obesity); and country: China. Results: Ten studies met the selection criteria and were included in the review. All studies adopted a cross-sectional design. Overall greenness measures were found to be inversely associated with BMI, overweight, and obesity in most included studies. Street greenness, which measures the perceived greenness at the eye level on streets, was found to be inversely associated with BMI and obesity. By contrast, mixed results were observed for the relationship between green space accessibility and weight outcomes. Air quality was found to mediate the relationship between greenness and obesity. The influence of green space on obesity tended to vary by residents’ gender, age, and socioeconomic status. Boys, women, older residents, and those with lower education or household income were more likely to benefit from greenness exposure. Conclusion: The literature on green space exposure in relation to obesity in China remains limited. Longitudinal and quasi-experimental studies are warranted to assess the causal link between green space and obesity. Future measures should better capture the self-perception, quality, and attractiveness of green space. The underlying pathways through which green space affects residents’ weight outcomes should be further elucidated.https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/524857green spacebody weightobesitychinareview |
| spellingShingle | Jing Shen Mengfei Li Qianhui Wang Ruidong Liu Mengmeng Ji Ruopeng An The Influence of Green Space on Obesity in China: A Systematic Review Obesity Facts green space body weight obesity china review |
| title | The Influence of Green Space on Obesity in China: A Systematic Review |
| title_full | The Influence of Green Space on Obesity in China: A Systematic Review |
| title_fullStr | The Influence of Green Space on Obesity in China: A Systematic Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Influence of Green Space on Obesity in China: A Systematic Review |
| title_short | The Influence of Green Space on Obesity in China: A Systematic Review |
| title_sort | influence of green space on obesity in china a systematic review |
| topic | green space body weight obesity china review |
| url | https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/524857 |
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