Residential green space improves cognitive performances in primary schoolchildren independent of traffic-related air pollution exposure.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cognitive performances of schoolchildren have been adversely associated with both recent and chronic exposure to ambient air pollution at the residence. In addition, growing evidence indicates that exposure to green space is associated with a wide range of health benefits. Therefore, we aimed to investigate if surrounding green space at the residence improves cognitive performance of primary schoolchildren while taking into account air pollution exposure.

Methods

Cognitive performance tests were administered repeatedly to a total of 307 primary schoolchildren aged 9-12y, living in Flanders, Belgium (2012-2014). These tests covered three cognitive domains: attention (Stroop and Continuous Performance Tests), short-term memory (Digit Span Forward and Backward Tests)

SUBMITTER: Saenen ND 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10061992 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature