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Increasing evidence indicates contact with nature supports mental, physical and social health. However, beyond a widely reported number of barriers to nature contact, the constellation of motivations for human contact with nature is under‐theorised and under‐studied.We begin to develop indicators of autonomous and controlled motivations for nature contact informed by self‐determination theory. These include intrinsic motivation (i.e. enjoyment), integrated regulation (alignment with identify and life goals), identified regulation (a means to an end), introjected regulation (emotional reasons like guilt avoidance) and external regulation (such as peer pressure). We compare these motivation indices in a nationally representative sample of 5082 adults in Australia in 2022 with the Nature Relatedness Scale (NR6), and also test associations between them and five outcomes: time spent in nature, smartphone use in nature, interest in nature prescriptions, physical activity and self‐rated health. Statistical analyses were adjusted for potential confounding.Results demonstrate people have complex mixtures of motivations with varying potency for visiting natural settings and the extent to which those motives are autonomous or controlled matters for what they do, and the benefits accrued. For example, our analyses show that more direct considerations of intrinsic, integrated and identified forms of autonomous motivation have superior explanatory power than the NR6 for time spent in nature, interest in nature prescriptions, adherence to physical activity recommendations and self‐rated health.External regulations emphasising peer approval were associated not only with no additional time in nature but also with more distractive activities when in natural environments, as defined by more smartphone and social media use while there. While introjected regulations emphasising guilt avoidance were associated with increased nature contact, they were similarly associated with time spent on smartphones and social media when in natural environments, which has been shown to undermine restoration.Synthesis and applications: We need to formally measure autonomous and controlled motivations for nature contact to better understand both why some people visit natural environments, and whether they are mindfully maximising the health benefits of those experiences. This will help to inform robust nature‐based interventions that are acceptable, effective and sustainable for everyone. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Nature prescribing involves a health professional recommending time in nature so as to benefit health. Objective This article provides guidance for the implementation of nature prescribing in general practice. Discussion Reviews of evidence show that nature prescribing may improve physical activity, systolic blood pressure, social connection and mental wellbeing. Primary care clinicians can recommend nature-based activities in ‘green spaces’ (walking or running in parks, bushwalks, animal care or gardening) or ‘blue spaces’ (walking by water, surfing or sailing). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated how the perceived quality of natural spaces influenced levels of visitation and felt benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia via a nationally representative online and telephone survey conducted on 12–26 October (Social Research Centre's Life in AustraliaTM panel aged > 18 years, 78.8% response, n = 3043). Our sample was restricted to those with complete information (n = 2940). Likert scale responses to 18 statements regarding the quality of local natural spaces that participants preferred to visit were classified into eight quality domains: access; aesthetics; amenities; facilities; incivilities; potential usage; safety; and social. These domains were then summed into an overall nature quality score (mean = 5.8, range = 0–16). Associations between these quality variables and a range of nature visitation and felt benefits were tested using weighted multilevel models, adjusted for demographic and socioeconomic confounders. Compared with participants in the lowest perceived nature quality quintile, those in the highest quality quintile had higher odds of spending at least 2 h in their preferred local nature space in the past week (Odds Ratio [OR] = 3.40; 95% Confidence Interval [95%CI] = 2.38–4.86), of visiting their preferred nature space almost every day in the past four weeks (OR = 3.90; 2.77–5.47), and of reporting increased levels of nature visitation in comparison with before the COVID-19 pandemic (OR = 3.90; 2.54–6.00). Participants in the highest versus lowest perceived nature quality quintile also reported higher odds of feeling their visits to nature enabled them to take solace and respite during the pandemic (OR = 9.49; 6.73–13.39), to keep connected with their communities (OR = 5.30; 3.46–8.11), and to exercise more often than they did before the pandemic (OR = 3.88; 2.57–5.86). Further analyses of each quality domain indicated time in and frequency of visiting nature spaces were most affected by potential usage and safety (time in nature was also influenced by the level of amenity). Feelings of connection and solace were most affected by potential usage and social domains. Exercise was most influenced by potential usage, social and access domains. In conclusion, evidence reported in this study indicates that visits to nature and various health-related benefits associated with it during the COVID-19 pandemic were highly contingent upon numerous qualities of green and blue spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A type 2 diabetes (T2DM) diagnosis has been referred to as a "wake-up call", but subsequent behavioural change may be influenced by place of residence. Random effects within-between regressions were applied to 130,926 participants in the 45 and Up Study. T2DM diagnoses effected change in the odds of short sleeps and meeting vegetable and alcohol consumption guidelines, but not changes in physical activity. Each of these behaviours varied geographically and were patterned by area disadvantage and geographic remoteness. Impacts of T2DM diagnosis on behavioural change were not found to be geographically contingent, though analysis of specific environmental attributes is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine whether physical activity has a positive relationship with school engagement regardless of the presence or absence of a recess or lunch break before the classroom lesson.Design: Data were collected over three ten-week periods: January-April 2014 (Time 1), October-December 2014 (Time 2), and April-June 2015 (Time 3).Methods: A cohort of 2194 adolescents (mean age=13.40years, SD=.73) wore an accelerometer during the hour before a mathematics lesson and completed a questionnaire following the mathematics lesson to assess school engagement in that lesson.Results: Linear mixed models indicated that moderate-intensity activity before a mathematics lesson had a positive linear relationship with cognitive engagement (β=.40, p<.05). Recess breaks before a mathematics lesson had a negative relationship with overall, behavioural, emotional, and cognitive engagement (β=-.18, p<.01, β=-.19, p<.01, β=-.13, p=.03, and β=-.13, p=.04, respectively).Conclusions: Promoting moderate-intensity activity prior to mathematics lessons could improve students' cognitive engagement. Educators should be aware that students tend to demonstrate the lowest levels of school engagement after recess breaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Investments to promote public transport utilisation are being championed to achieve sustainable development, but the potential co-benefits for mental health are comparatively under-researched. We hypothesised that frequent users of public transport would be more likely to have better mental health (possibly due to increased levels of physical activity), but among the more frequent users, less favourable perceptions of public transport infrastructure (PPTI) could have a negative influence on mental health. Methods: Multilevel linear and logistic regressions were fitted on 30,214 participants in the UK Household Longitudinal Study with lagged PPTI and confounder measures at baseline and indicators of active travel and mental health (General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), SF-12 Mental Component Scale (MCS) and the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well Being Scale (WEMWBS)) at follow-up. Results: Compared to participants expressing poor PPTI, those who felt it was excellent were 1.29 (95%CI 1.15, 1.45) times more likely to be frequent users of public transport and 1.53 (95%CI 1.33, 1.76) times more likely to choose to walk or cycle journeys of less than two to three miles. Frequent use of public transport was found to be consistently associated with better mental health for GHQ caseness (OR 0.85, 95%CI 0.79, 0.91), GHQ score (coefficient -0.28, 95%CI -0.41, -0.16), MCS (coefficient 0.45, 95%CI 0.23, 0.66), and WEMWBS (coefficient 0.30, 95%CI 0.19, 0.40). Among frequent users of public transport, participants expressing poor PPTI were 1.46 (95%CI 1.11, 1.93) times more likely to report poorer mental health according to the GHQ caseness indicator, compared to frequent users that regarded PPTI as excellent. Similar results were observed for the other indicators of mental health. Conclusions: These findings indicate that while the provision of public transport infrastructure is a necessary pre-condition for stimulating population increases in physical activity, PPTI improvements needs to be prioritised to leverage the full mental health-related co-benefits of active travel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is increasing awareness for beneficial health effects of green space surrounding the home, but the underlying mechanisms are not yet fully understood and challenging to study given the correlation with other exposures. Here, the association of residential greenness and vitamin D including a gene-environment interaction is investigated. 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was measured by electrochemiluminescence at ages 10 and 15 years in participants of two German birth cohorts GINIplus and LISA. Greenness was measured using the Landsat-derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in a 500 m buffer surrounding the home. Linear and logistic regression models were applied at both time points adjusted for several covariates (N 10Y = 2,504, N 15Y = 2,613). In additional analyses vitamin D-related genes, physical activity, time spent outdoors, supplements, and measurement season were investigated as potential confounders or effect modifiers. A 1.5-SD increase in NDVI was significantly associated with increased 25(OH)D values at ages 10 and 15 years (β 10y = 2.41 nmol/l, p=<0.01; β 15y = 2.03 nmol/l, p = 0.02). In stratified analyses, the associations were not seen in participants spending more than 5 h/day outside in summer, having a high physical activity level, taking supplements, or being examined during the winter season. In a subset (n = 1,732) with genetic data, a significant gene-environment interaction of NDVI with CYP2R1 , an upstream gene in 25(OH)D synthesis, was observed at age 10 years. When investigating 25(OH)D sufficiency, defined as values above 50 nmol/l, a 1.5-SD increase in NDVI was associated with significantly higher odds of having sufficient 25 (OH)D levels at age 10 years (OR = 1.48, 1.19–1.83). In conclusion, robust associations between residential greenness and 25 (OH)D levels were observed in children and adolescents independent of other confounders and additionally supported by the presence of a gene-environment interaction. Effects of NDVI were stronger in those having lower vitamin D levels at age 10 years due to their covariate profile or genetically lower 25(OH)D synthesis. [Display omitted] • NDVI is robustly associated with 25(OH)D in children and adolescents. • Gene × Environment interaction present for CYP2R1. • Sub-group analyses reveal differences depending on covariate profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Does a rise in crime result in increased sitting time and a reduction in physical activity? We used unobserved ("fixed")-effects models to examine associations between change in objectively measured crime (nondomestic violence, malicious damage, breaking and entering, and stealing, theft, and robbery) in Australia and measures of sitting time, walking, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in a residentially stable sample of 17,474 men and 19,688 women at baseline (2006-2008) and follow-up (2009-2010). Possible sources of time- varying confounding included age, income, economic status, relationship (couple) status, and physical functioning. In adjusted models, an increase in all crimes of 10 counts per 1,000 residents was associated with an increase in sitting time (hours/day) among men (β = 0.21, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.17, 0.25) and women (β = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.15, 0.22). Counterintuitively, the same increase in crime was also associated with an increase in the weekly number of ≥10-minute walking sessions (men: rate ratio (RR) = 1.01 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.02); women: RR = 1.00 (95% CI: 0.99, 1.01)) and MVPA sessions (men: RR = 1.02 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.03); women: RR = 1.01 (95% CI: 1.00, 1.02)). Similar associations were found for the other area-level crime indicators. While area-level crime prevention may be considered a lever for promoting more active lifestyles, these results suggest that the association is not unequivocal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evidence on physical activity (PA) and transitions out of full-time employment in middle-to-older age is mainly cross-sectional and focused upon retirement. The purpose was to examine trajectories in PA before and after transitions out of full-time employment.Methods: Data were obtained for 5,754 people in full-time employment aged 50-75 from the US Health and Retirement Survey. Logistic regression was used to examine trajectories in twice-weekly participation in light, moderate and vigorous PA among those transitioning to part-time work, semi-retirement, full retirement, or economic inactivity due to disability, in comparison to those remaining in full-time employment.Results: Twice weekly participation in vigorous and light physical activity changed little for those who remained in full-time employment, while moderate physical activity decreased between baseline and follow-up (OR 0.95, 95 % CI 0.91, 0.99). Differences in physical activity according to transitional categories at follow-up were evident. Baseline differences in physical activity across all intensities were greatest among participants transitioning from full-time to part-time employment compared to those who remained in full-time employment throughout the study period (vigorous OR 1.41 95 % CI 1.23, 1.61; moderate OR 1.28 95 % CI 1.12, 1.46; light OR 1.29 95 % CI 1.12, 1.49). Those transitioning to unemployment were already among the least physically active at baseline, irrespective of intensity (albeit, with 95 % CIs spanning unity). Those transitioning to full-time retirement were also among the least active (e.g. vigorous OR 0.71 95 % CI 0.61, 0.81; moderate OR 0.80 95 % CI 0.71, 0.90). Declines in physical activity were reported for those transitioning to economic inactivity due to a disability (vigorous OR 0.29 95 % CI 0.14, 0.64; moderate OR 0.56 95 % CI 0.33, 0.95; light OR 0.34 95 % CI 0.19, 0.63). Physical activity increased regardless of intensity among participants transitioning to semi-retirement (p > 0.05) and full retirement (e.g. vigorous OR 1.28 95 % CI 1.09, 1.51; moderate OR 1.24 95 % CI 1.07, 1.43). Light physical activity increased for those transitioning to unemployment (OR 1.40 95 % CI 1.02, 1.93), though less change was evident in moderate or vigorous physical activity.Conclusions: The amount and intensity of PA varies by the type of transition out of full-time employment among people in middle-to-older age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical activity is associated with numerous health benefits in youth; however, these benefits could extend further than health, into education. Our aim was to systematically review and combine in meta-analyses evidence concerning the association between physical activity and the dimensions of school engagement, including behavior (e.g., time-on-task), emotions (e.g., lesson enjoyment), and cognition (e.g., self-regulated learning). We conducted meta-analyses using structural equation modeling on results from 38 studies. Overall, physical activity had a small, positive association with school engagement (d= .28,I2= .86), 95% confidence interval [.12, .46]. This association was moderated by study design, with significant associations shown in randomized controlled trials but not in studies employing other designs. Risk of bias was also a significant effect moderator, as studies with a low risk of bias showed significant associations but not high risk of bias studies. Altogether, these results suggest that physical activity could improve school engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective: It is often hypothesised that neighbourhood green space may help prevent well-known declines in physical activity and increases in sedentary behaviour that occur across childhood. As most studies in this regard are cross-sectional, the purpose of our study was to use longitudinal data to examine whether green space promotes active lifestyles as children grow older. Methods: Data came from participants (n = 4983; age = 4-5) of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children, a nationally representative study on health and child development. Physical activity and screen time were measured biennially (2004-2012) using questionnaires and time use diaries. Quantity of neighbourhood green space was objectively measured using Australian Bureau of Statistics mesh block data for each participant's statistical area level 2. Multilevel regression was used to test for associations between physical activity and screen time with green space quantity, adjusting for socio-economic confounders. Results: Boys living in areas with 10 % more neighbourhood green space had a: 7 % (95 % CI = 1.02,1.13) greater odds of choosing physically active pastimes; 8 % (95 % CI = 0.85, 1.00) lower odds of not enjoying physical activity; 2.3 min reduction in weekend television viewing (95 % CI = -4.00, -0.69); and 7 % (95 % CI = 1.02; 1.12) and 9 % (95 % CI = 1.03; 1.15) greater odds of meeting physical activity guidelines on weekdays and weekends, respectively. No statistically (or practically) significant results were observed for girls. Conclusion: Current provisions of neighbourhood green space may be more amenable to promoting active lifestyles among boys than girls. Research is needed to explore what types of green space promote active lifestyles in all children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Equivocal findings on crime as a deterrent for physical activity may be due to effects of geographic scale on exposure measurement. To investigate this hypothesis, physical activity was measured in 203,883 Australians and linked to standardised crime counts within small (‘Census Collection Districts’; approx. 330 residents) and larger areas (‘Statistical Local Areas’; approx. 32,000 residents). A median rate ratio of 2.26 indicated substantive geographic variation in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Adjusting for confounders, multilevel negative binomial regression reported lower MVPA with more crime consistently in small, but not in larger areas. Reducing small pockets of local crime may encourage more physically active lifestyles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective This study investigated variation in unhealthy lifestyles within Australia according to where people were born. Method Multilevel linear regression models were used to explore variation in co-occurring unhealthy lifestyles (from 0 to 8) constructed from responses to tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and a range of dietary indicators for 217,498 adults born in 22 different countries now living in Australia. Models were adjusted for socio-economic variables. Data was from the 45 and Up Study (2006-2009). Further analyses involved multilevel logistic regression to examine country-of-birth patterning of each individual unhealthy lifestyle. Results Small differences in the co-occurrence of unhealthy lifestyles were observed by country of birth, ranging from 3.1 (Philippines) to 3.8 (Russia). More substantial variation was observed for each individual unhealthy lifestyle. Smoking and alcohol ranged from 7.3% and 4.2% (both China) to 28.5% (Lebanon) and 30.8% (Ireland) respectively. Non-adherence to physical activity guidelines was joint-highest among participants born in Japan and China (both 74.5%), but lowest among those born in Scandinavian countries (52.5%). Substantial variation in meeting national dietary guidelines was also evident between participants born in different countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background If green spaces encourage people to spend more time outdoors in physical, recreational and social activities, this could have unintended but important consequences for health in countries where levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation are non-trivial. We investigated whether people who lived in neighbourhoods containing lots of green space were likely to spend more time outdoors and, subsequently, were more likely to report a case of skin cancer. Methods Multilevel logit regression was used to fit associations between self-reported medically diagnosed skin cancer (melanoma and non-melanoma) and an objective measure of green space. These models were adjusted for measures of susceptibility (skin colour and tanning), socioeconomic variables, demographic and cultural characteristics (eg, ancestry and country of birth). Mediation analyses were conducted using self-reported measures of time spent outdoors and participation in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Results Descriptive analyses reported a positive association between green space and skin cancer (p<0.001). Time outdoors and in MVPA was also higher among people living in greener areas. The association between green space and skin cancer was robust after adjustment. In comparison to people with 0-20% green space, for example, the adjusted odds of having skin cancer were 9% higher among those with >80% green space. Only 1.6% and less than 1% of the association was mediated by MVPA and time spent outdoors. Conclusions Neighbourhood green space is associated with higher odds of having skin cancer in Australia. The relationship between green space and health, in its broadest terms, is likely to vary by geographical context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Green space is widely hypothesised to promote physical activity. Few studies, however, examine whether this is the case for walking and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). We investigated to what extent neighbourhood green space was associated with weekly participation and frequency of walking and MVPA in a large cross-sectional survey of Australian adults 45 years and older. Methods Logit and negative binomial regression were used to estimate the degree of association between walking, MVPA and neighbourhood green space in a sample of 203 883 adults from the Australian 45 and Up Study. Walking and MVPA were measured using the Active Australia Survey. Green space was measured as a percentage of the total land-use within 1 km radius of residence. We controlled for a range of individual and neighbourhood characteristics. Results 86.6% of the sample walked and 85.8% participated in MVPA at least once a week. These rates fell steeply with age. Compared with residents of neighbourhoods containing 0-20% green space, those in greener areas were significantly more likely to walk and participate in MVPAs at least once a week (trend for both p<0.001). Among those participating at least once a week, residents of neighbourhoods containing 80%+ green space participated with a greater frequency of walking (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.09, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.13) and MVPA (IRR 1.10, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.15). Conclusions Our findings suggest that the amount of green space available to adults in middle-to-older age within their neighbourhood environments could help to promote walking and MVPA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: While many studies report that green spaces promote mental health, some suggest the psychological benefits of physical activity are amplified if participation occurs within greener environs. We investigated whether this relationship could be observed among adults in middle-to-older age. Method: Multilevel logit regression was used to investigate association between green space and psychological distress (Kessler scores of 22+) among 260,061 Australians over 45years old living in New South Wales (2006–2009). Physical activity was measured using the Active Australia survey. Percentage green space was estimated within a 1-kilometre of residence. Results: In comparison to residents of the least green areas, those in the greenest neighbourhoods were at a lower risk of psychological distress (Odds Ratio 0.83, 95% CI: 0.76, 0.92) and were less sedentary (0.81: 0.77, 0.87). An interaction was observed between physical activity and green space (p =0.0028). More green space did not appear to benefit mental health among the least active (0.99: 0.85, 1.15), but there was a protective association for the more physically active (0.82: 0.67, 0.99). Conclusion: For adults in middle-to-older age, green spaces are not only important for promoting physical activity, but the mental health benefits of greener environs appear contingent upon those active lifestyles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We investigated whether ethnic and country of birth differences in adult Body Mass Index (BMI) were associated with differences in diet, physical activity and ethnic density (the percentage of an ethnic group within the neighbourhood environment). A sample of 214,807 adults living in Australia was extracted from the 45 and Up Study. Analyses comprised multilevel modelling of BMI for 38 ethnic and country of birth groups. Physical activity was ascertained using the Active Australia Survey. Dietary measures included self-reported consumption of fruit, vegetables, meat and cheese. Ethnic density was objectively measured using 2006 Australian Census data. Possible confounders included age, gender, household income, educational qualifications, economic status, couple status, language, duration of residence, neighbourhood affluence and remoteness. Compared to Australian-born Australians (age-gender adjusted mean BMI = 27.1, 95%CI 27.1, 27.2), overseas-born groups often had lower mean BMI, especially the Chinese born in China (23.2, 23.0, 23.4). Exceptions included the Italians (BMI = 28.1), Greeks (28.5), Maltese (27.6), Lebanese (28.4) and Croatians (27.8) born in their ethnic-country of origin. Regardless of birthplace, BMI was lower for the English, Scottish, and Chinese, but higher for Italians and Greeks. Some ethnic differences reflected the ‘healthy migrant’ hypothesis, whereas others did not. These differences were only partially attenuated by controls for portions of fruit and vegetables, meat and cheese, frequency of participation in physical activity, and other explanatory variables. Ethnic density was associated with lower BMI for the English and Irish ( p < 0.05), regardless of whether they were born in the UK, Ireland, or Australia. Ethnic differences in adult weight status in Australia do not appear to be fully explained by conventional risk factors. For some groups, but not all, living among others of the same ethnic group may proxy unmeasured health-promoting factors and these contexts, along with other factors that harm health (e.g. racial discrimination) warrant further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• House dwellers were more physically active if there was more green space and/or trees. • More green space was not associated with more physically active apartment dwellers. • More open grass was associated with lower proportions of vigorous physical activity. Association between green space and physical activity has ignored housing type, despite people in houses often having access to private green space, whereas their counterparts in apartments mostly do not. Thus, access to green space may have contrasting influences on outdoor leisure time and how much of it is spent doing the types of physical activity known to protect against chronic disease. Adjusted multilevel logistic and zero-truncated negative binomial regressions of the Sax Institute's 45 and Up Study baseline (2006–2009) tested associations between percentage green space, tree canopy, and open grass within 1.6 km of participants homes with: (i) time outdoors on weekdays or (ii) on weekends; (iii) minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA); and (iv) percentage of MVPA spent in vigorous activities (i.e. activities that make people puff and pant). A 10 % increase in total green space was marginally associated with higher odds of spending > 2 h outdoors during weekdays (OR = 1.02, 95 %CI = 1.00–1.04) and > 4 h during weekends (OR = 1.03, 1.01–1.05) for house-dwellers only. Levels of total MVPA tended to be higher with more green space (IRR = 1.01, 1.00–1.03) among people in houses, but not those in apartments. MVPA as > 30 % vigorous was higher for people in houses with 10 % more green space (OR = 1.03 (1.01–1.06), but not apartments. Similar results to total green space were found for 10 % increases in tree canopy, but not for open grass. Association between open grass and time outdoors on weekends was observed for house-dwellers only (OR = 1.03, 1.00–1.07). More open grass was associated were lower levels of MVPA among people in houses (IRR = 0.97 (0.95−0.99). More open grass was also associated with lower odds of > 30 % MVPA being vigorous among house-dwellers (OR = 0.96, 0.92−0.99) and apartment-dwellers (OR = 0.84, 0.75−0.94). Benefits of green space for physical activity tend to be observed among house-dwellers. The general absence of green space benefits for time outdoors and physical activity among apartment-dwellers warrants in-depth exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potential pathways linking green space quality to prosocial behaviour have not been investigated so far. This study aimed to examine 15 candidate mediators of the association between green space quality and prosocial behaviour across physical activity, social interaction, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), child and caregiver mental health. This study analysed data of 4969 children aged 4−5 years that were observed for 10 years (2004–2014), retrieved from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. Caregiver perceptions of the availability of good neighbourhood parks, play spaces, and playgrounds were used to evaluate green space quality. Prosocial behaviour was measured based on caregiver reports of the prosocial subscale from the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Causal mediation analysis was used to fit each candidate mediator in a single mediation model. Additional analyses were conducted to strengthen the findings by modelling green space quality, candidate mediators with child-reported prosocial behaviour. Findings from this study suggest weak evidence of physical activity mediation, with only physical activity enjoyment displaying moderate mediation consistency. Child social interaction and caregiver mental health showed low mediation consistency. In addition, moderate-to-high and low-to-high mediation consistency was found for child mental health and HRQOL indicators, respectively. Mediation by candidate mediators appeared to manifest more in late childhood. Mediation models using child-reported prosocial behaviour tended to show weaker mediation compared to caregiver-reported prosocial behaviour models. To conclude, green space quality may indirectly influence prosocial behaviour among children via several pathways. Improving the quality of neighbourhood green space may support physical activity enjoyment, social interaction, mental health among children, which in turn, may potentially foster the development of prosocial behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whilst green space has been linked to healthier sleep outcomes, the roles of specific types of nature exposure, potential underlying mechanisms, and between-country variations in nature-sleep associations have received little attention. Drawing on cross-sectional survey data from an 18-country sample of adults (N = 16,077) the current study examined: 1) the relative associations between six different types of nature exposure (streetscape greenery, blue view from home, green space within 1 km, coast within 1 km, green space visits, blue space visits) and insufficient sleep (<6 h vs. 7–10 h per day); 2) whether these relationships were mediated by better mental wellbeing and/or physical activity; and 3) the consistency of these pathways among the different countries. After controlling for covariates, neighbourhood nature measures (green space, coast within 1 km) were not significantly associated with insufficient sleep; but nature visible from home (streetscape greenery, blue views) and recreational visits to green and blue spaces were each associated with less insufficient sleep. Significant nature-sleep associations were mediated, to varying degrees, by better mental wellbeing, but not self-reported physical activity. Country-level heterogeneity in the strength of nature-sleep associations was observed. Increasing nature visible from the home may represent a promising strategy for promoting healthier sleep duration at the population level, whilst nature-based interventions encouraging individuals to spend time in local green/blue spaces may be an appropriate target to assist individuals affected by insufficient sleep. • Examined the links between six types of nature exposure and insufficient sleep. • Neighbourhood nature measures did not significantly predict insufficient sleep. • Nature visible from home and nature visits associated with lower insufficient sleep. • Significant nature-sleep associations were mediated by better mental wellbeing. • Country-level heterogeneity in nature-sleep associations was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The mental health benefits of physical activity are well established. However, less is known about whether the relationship between physical activity and mental health is consistent across different life domains. It is important to understand how context may influence the relationship between physical activity and mental health so that interventions and policy guidelines can be tailored to maximize positive effects.Evidence Acquisition: In 2015, systematic searches of four databases identified 13,435 records, of which 98 studies met the inclusion criteria.Evidence Synthesis: Included studies were published between 1988 and 2015 and had a combined sample size of 648,726. Of the 98 included studies, 93 examined leisure-time physical activity, 14 examined work-related physical activity, 15 examined transport physical activity, 16 examined household physical activity, three examined school sport, and three examined physical education. Multi-level meta-analyses showed that leisure-time physical activity (r =0.13) and transport physical activity (r =0.13) both had a positive association with mental health. Leisure-time physical activity (r = -0.11) and school sport (r = -0.09) both had an inverse association with mental ill-health. However, physical activity was not consistently associated with lower mental ill-health across domains, as work-related physical activity was positively associated with mental ill-health (r =0.09). Household physical activity and participation in physical education had no relationship with mental health or mental ill-health.Conclusions: The domain in which physical activity occurs influences the relationship between physical activity and mental health and should, therefore, be considered when developing interventions, treatment programs, and policy guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence is mounting on the association between the built environment and physical activity (PA) with a call for intervention research. A broader approach which recognizes the role of supportive environments that can make healthy choices easier is required. A systematic review was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of interventions to encourage PA in urban green space. Five databases were searched independently by two reviewers using search terms relating to ‘physical activity’, ‘urban green space’ and ‘intervention’ in July 2014. Eligibility criteria included: (i) intervention to encourage PA in urban green space which involved either a physical change to the urban green space or a PA intervention to promote use of urban green space or a combination of both; and (ii) primary outcome of PA. Of the 2405 studies identified, 12 were included. There was some evidence (4/9 studies showed positive effect) to support built environment only interventions for encouraging use and increasing PA in urban green space. There was more promising evidence (3/3 studies showed positive effect) to support PAprograms or PA programs combined with a physical change to the built environment, for increasing urban green space use and PAof users. Recommendations for future research include the need for longer term follow-up post-intervention, adequate control groups, sufficiently powered studies, and consideration of the social environment, which was identified as a significantly under-utilized resource in this area. Interventions that involve the use of PA programs combined with a physical change to the built environment are likely to have a positive effect on PA. Robust evaluations of such interventions are urgently required. The findings provide a platform to inform the design, implementation and evaluation of future urban green space and PAintervention research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The evidence on the pathways through which the built environment may influence type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk is limited. This study explored whether behavioural, physical and mental health factors mediate the associations between perceived built environment and T2D.Methods: Longitudinal data on 36,224 participants aged ≥45 years (The Sax Institute's 45 and Up Study) was analysed. Causal mediation analysis that uses the counterfactual approach to decompose the total effect into direct and indirect effects was performed.Results: The results showed that physical activity, recreational walking, and BMI mediated around 6%, 11%, and 30%, respectively, of the association between perceived lack of access to local amenities and T2D incidence. Physical activity (4.8% for day-time crime), recreational walking (2.3% for day-time crime), psychological distress (5.2% for day-time, 3.7% for night-time crime), and BMI (29.6% for day-time crime, 17.4% for night-time crime) also partially mediated the effect of perceived crime. Mediated effects appeared larger at wave 3 than the same wave 2 mediators.Conclusions: The findings demonstrate that physical activity, psychological distress, and BMI mediate the pathways between the built environment and T2D. Policies aimed to bring amenities closer to homes, prevent crime, and address mental health may help reduce T2D risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]