Physical Activity
(The information below is edited from a report 'Growing Projects: Harnessing the Opportunities' (2010), prepared by Ailish O'Neill a Health Promotion Specialist at the Lothian NHS Trust, the report can be downloaded at the Health & Wellbeing page.)IntroductionEfforts to increase levels of physical activity are a public health priority. Physical inactivity is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, many types of cancer and depression. Increasingly the benefits of physical activity in a green space are being recognised as even small doses of outdoor exercise can impact significantly on mental health and wellbeing.
It is well established that exercise and nature can improve and protect mental health. Exercising outdoors has more positive mental health benefits than other types of exercise. The WHO has predicted that by 2020 depression will be the second greatest cause of ill health in the world. The British government predicts one in four people will experience mental health issues throughout their lifetime, illustrating the need to promote outdoor physical activity for mental health and wellbeing.
Green GymsResearch shows income-related inequality in health is less pronounced in populations with greater exposure and access to green areas. Local access to green space is associated with higher levels of physical activity and lower levels of obesity. Community gardens create access to green space, which can be easily located within neighbourhoods.
The quality of green space in an area can be a strong indicator of the health and wellbeing experienced by the community living in that area. Community gardens facilitate access to a green area within the surrounds of a community providing community members with an outlet to engage in physical activity. Gardening is a recognised form of physical activity and provides an outlet for sustained regular activity. It is a cheap form of exercise and depending on the activity can be ranked as moderate to heavy in intensity. Research suggests 30 minutes of gardening can burn as many calories as aerobic exercise.
ChildrenGardening can also promote physical activity levels among children, incorporating physical activity education with a garden-based education programme provides the opportunity to improve levels of physical activity. There is a strong correlation between television viewing and weight gain emphasising the need for children to become more involved in physical activities. Gardening is an activity that can be enjoyed by children and parents encouraging interaction and strengthening family ties.
Healthy AgeingGardening is a tool that can be employed to successfully achieve the goals of healthy ageing. Engagement in physical activity and leisure activities has a positive impact on a person’s life satisfaction and health status. Many older people may have a keen interest in gardening however declining physical ability means the ability to carry out the heavier tasks associated with gardening become too strenuous and in many cases not possible, validating further their preference for communal gardening over individual gardening. The opportunity to share tasks among group members allows individuals to maximise their skills and abilities instilling a sense of confidence and achievement. Regular gardening can reduce the risk of dementia among the elderly by up to 36%. Community gardens provide the opportunity for elderly members in a community to continue to pursue their hobby in a safe interactive environment.
DisabledResearch conducted by the national charity Thrive illustrated that one in three disabled people believe that gardening has ongoing health benefits and that one in five believe it has helped them through a period of mental or physical ill health. Working in a garden provides the opportunity to engage in satisfying labour. The physical nature of gardening provides individuals with an opportunity to enjoy getting physically active in a safe, protected environment promoting physical activity and mental wellbeing.
Studies of people who regularly take part in green activities by the mental-health charity MIND revealed that 90% of people said the combination of nature and exercise had the greatest effect on them, while 94% revealed that green activities benefited their mental health. Community gardens offer the opportunity to restore a sense of calm and wellbeing. Elderly people experience the natural and built environment in different ways. The natural environment is a source of calming and security contrasting sharply with experiences of the built environment, which is commonly associated with violence, crime, and feelings of insecurity.