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. 2022 May 11;15(4):463–472. doi: 10.1159/000524857

Table 3.

Estimated effects of green space on body weight status in the studies included in the review

Study ID Estimated effects of green space on body weight status Main findings of study
1 1. A 1-SD increase in proximity of parkland (t = 2.238, p = 0.026) was associated with a 10% increase of BMI, respectively
2. A 1-unit (10%) decrease in proximity of parkland (t = 3.308, p = 0.002) will increase 18% in overweight/obesity, respectively
3. A 1-unit (10%) increase in green and open space areas (t = −0.118, p = 0.008) was accompanied with a 12% BMI reduction
1. Parkland proximity related to BMI: +
2. Parkland proximity related to overweight/obesity: −
3. Green and open space area related to BMI: −

2 Easier access to urban green space was related to lower odds of overweight or obesity when an urban green space was within 1 km (β = −0.320, p < 0.01) Accessibility of green space related to obesity: −

3 1. A significant negative association between residential greenness and overweight/obesity (odds = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.58, 0.92)
2. A significant negative association between residential greenness and abdominal obesity (odds = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.33, 0.91)
1. Residential greenness related to overweight/obesity: −
2. Residential greenness related to abdominal obesity: −

4 Each interquartile range (0.17 unit) increase in NDVI500-m was associated with 0.18 kg/m2 (95% CI = 0.24, 0.11) lower BMI, 20% (95% CI = 26%, 13%) lower odds for peripheral obesity, and 12% (95% CI = 17%, 7%) lower odds for central obesity 1. Community greenness related to BMI: −
2. Community greenness related to odds for peripheral obesity: −
3. Community greenness related to odds for central obesity: −
4. Community greenness related to odds for waist circumference: 0

5 1. In neighborhoods with a green space ratio lower than 28%, residents had a higher risk of overweight or obesity (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.01, 1.46)
2. In neighborhoods with a green view index lower than 15%, residents had a higher risk of overweight/obesity (OR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.09, 1.52)
3. Evergreen tree configuration was found to be associated with overweight/obesity (OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.09, 1.91)
1. Green space ratio equal to or lower than 28% related to overweight/obesity: +
2. Green view index equal to or lower than 15% related to overweight/obesity: +
3. Evergreen trees configuration related to overweight/obese: +

6 Perception of large parks positively correlates to BMI (β = 0.169, SE = 0.087, p = 0.053), while the perception of small parks has a negative association with BMI (β = −0.174, SE = 0.100, p = 0.082) 1. Perception of large parks related to BMI: +
2. Perception of small parks related to BMI: −

7 1. Longer distance from parks relieves the risk of obesity or overweightness (β = −0.004, p < 0.01)
2. No direct correlation between the NDVI and residents’ BMI was found
3. View-based green index had an adverse effect on weight and obesity
1. View-based green index related to obesity: −
2. NDVI related to BMI: 0
3. Distance from parks related to obesity/overweight: −

8 1. Green coverage rate was an important factor affecting residents’ BMI and has a significant negative impact on the risk of overweight or obesity (p < 0.05)
2. Distance to park had a negative effect on individual BMI, which was significant at 10.0% and 5.0% levels at the scale of neighborhood and 1 -km buffer, respectively
1. Green coverage rate related to BMI, overweight, or obesity: −
2. Distance to the park related to BMI: −

9 1. Street greenness (β = −0.132, 95% CI = 0.019, 0.257) and the number of parks surrounding schools (β = −0.118, 95% CI = 0.006, 0.204) were significantly negatively associated with BMI with the 400 m buffer
2. NDVI has no significant effect on body weight (p > 0.05)
1. Street greenness related to BMI: −
2. The number of parks surrounding schools related to BMI: −
3. NDVI related to body weight: 0

10 1. An interquartile range increase in NDVI-1,000 m was associated with lower zBMI (β = −0.11, 95% CI = −0.13, −0.09) and waist circumference (β = −0.64, 95% CI = −0.78, −0.50)
2. An interquartile range increase in NDVI-100 m, NDVI-500 m, and NDVI-1,000 m was associated with 7–20% lower odds of overweight/obesity
1. NDVI-1,000 m related to zBMI: −
2. NDVI-1,000 m related to waist circumference: −
3. NDVI-100 m, NDVI-500 m, and NDVI-1,000 m related to odds of overweight/obesity: −

Correlation: + positively, − negatively, 0 insignificantly. BMI, body mass index; NDVI, normalized difference vegetation index.