Growing up in a greener urban environment increases children’s intelligence and lowers levels of difficult behavior, a study has found.
The analysis of more than 600 children aged 10-15 years showed a 3% increase in the vegetables of their neighborhood increased their IQ score by an average of 2.6 points. The effect was seen in both richer and poorer areas.
There is already significant evidence that green spaces enhance various aspects of children’s cognitive development, but this is the first study to examine IQ. The cause is not certain, but can be linked to lower stress levels, more play and social contact as a calmer environment.
The increase in IQ scores was particularly significant for those children at the lower end of the spectrum, where small increases can make a big difference, the researchers said.
“There is more and more evidence that green environment is associated with our cognitive function, such as memory skills and attention,” said Tim Nawrot, a professor of environmental epidemiology at Hasselt University in Belgium, where the study was conducted.
“What this study adds with IQ is a tougher, well-established clinical measure. I think urban builders as urban planners should prioritize investing in green spaces because it is really worthwhile to create an optimal environment for children to develop their full potential. “
The study, published in the journal Plos Medicine, used satellite images to measure the level of greenery in neighborhoods, including parks, gardens, street trees and all other vegetation.
The average IQ score was 105, but the scientists found 4% of children in areas with a low level of greenery scored below 80, while no children scored below 80 in areas with more green.
The benefits of more greenery being incorporated into urban areas were not replicated in suburban rather than rural areas. Nawrot suggested that this may be because those places had enough vegetables for all the children who lived there to benefit.
Behavioral problems such as poor attention and aggression were also measured in the children with a standard rating scale, and the average score was 46. In this case, a 3% increase in green resulted in a two-point reduction in behavioral problems, usually with earlier investigations.
The researchers take into account the wealth and level of education of the children’s parents, and for the most part rule out the idea that families who are better placed to support children simply have more access to green space.
Higher levels of air pollution are known to limit intelligence and child development, but this factor was also excluded as an explanation.
Instead, the scientists suggested lower noise levels, lower stress – as found in other research on benefits of green space – and greater opportunities for physical and social activities may explain the higher IQ scores.
Dr Mathew White, an environmental psychologist at Exeter University in the United Kingdom who was not part of the study team, praised the quality of the research.
“I am always aware of the term intelligence because it has a problematic history and unfortunate associations,” he said. “But like anything else, this study can help us move away from seeing intelligence as mediocre – it can be influenced by environment, and I think that’s much healthier.”
White said it was reasonable to suggest more exercise and less stress as reasons for the higher IQ scores. “But I’m not sure why general intelligence should be improved by these things,” he said. “My assumption is that the intelligence measures really increase a child’s ability to concentrate and attach to a task that has been shown earlier in studies of green space.”
A study of children living in Barcelona, published in 2015, showed that more green space was associated with better working memory and attention.
The researchers in the new study were able to account for many of the factors that are likely to influence IQ, but data on the type of green space were not available. Previous work has shown that this can be important, with trees giving more benefits to child development than, for example, agricultural land or shelter.
The team also had no information on where the pupils came from school, but most Belgian children go to nearby schools.
Five more ways to stimulate brain power
Exercise
The link between physical activity, endorphins, and improved mental health has been well documented. But now, exercise has been shown to increase brain tension, with researchers at the University of Texas earlier this year finding that aerobic exercise improves blood flow to regions in the brain associated with memory.
2. Food
Certain foods, especially oily fish, nuts and even chocolate, have been linked to improved brain performance. Oily fish is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, while nuts are a great source of vitamin E, and dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants.
3. Power buttons
A good excuse for a nap can be justified as an effective method of transforming brain power for the better. Researchers from the University of Bristol found that in a study of 16 participants, those who had a baptism for 90 minutes before performing a set of tasks had improved responses and improved information processing.
4. Meditation
Yoga, meditation and other types of mindful activity have become increasingly popular in recent years. Despite the trend, meditation in particular has been found to have a variety of neurological benefits. For example, researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles have found that long-term meditation can help the brain fight the effects of aging.
5. Positive Thinking
Positive thoughts, affirmations, and even ‘manifesting’ have been cited as ways to change lives for the better, with the latter even gaining the approval of both Gwyneth Paltrow and Oprah Winfrey. But such activities also have a positive effect on the brain, with research suggesting that positive and happy thoughts can stimulate the growth of nerve connections and even increase attentiveness.
Tobi Thomas
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