Urban Green Space and Obesity in Older Adults. ESRI Research Bulletin, 2018/04

Dempsey, Seraphim and Lyons, Seán and Nolan, Anne (2018) Urban Green Space and Obesity in Older Adults. ESRI Research Bulletin, 2018/04. UNSPECIFIED.

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Abstract

Nearly four out of five Irish adults over the age of 50 are classified as overweight or obese, according to their body mass index (BMI) measurements. The problem is significant for other age groups as well. Obesity confers higher risks of health problems including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis and some cancers. One contributor to this problem in recent decades is thought to be the shift of population into urban areas, which is often accompanied by less physically active lifestyles. Some international research suggests that green spaces such as parks in urban areas can encourage physical activity and help to reduce obesity in the urban population. However, this relationship is difficult to isolate because obesity rates can be influenced by many socio-economic characteristics and behaviours. In this study we link data on body mass index (BMI) for a large representative sample of over-50s living in urban areas of Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford to digital maps showing how much green space is near their homes. We then use statistical tools to see whether those living in areas with more or less green space are at an increased risk of obesity after taking into account many other socio-economic characteristics of these individuals.

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