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. 2022 Sep 15;19(18):11606.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph191811606.

Relationship between the Duration of Urban Nature and a Lower Waist-Hip Ratio

Pongsakorn Suppakittpaisarn  1 , Nadchawan Charoenlertthanakit  1   2 , Ekachai Yaipimol  1 , Vipavee Surinseng  1 , Chulalux Wanitchayapaisit  1   3 , Gunwoo Kim  4
Affiliations

Relationship between the Duration of Urban Nature and a Lower Waist-Hip Ratio

Pongsakorn Suppakittpaisarn et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Obesity is a prevalent health issue. Evidence suggests that the availability of urban nature may reduce the risks of obesity. However, several knowledge gaps remain. This study explores the relationships between the dose (distance, duration and frequency) of urban nature and demographic factors towards obesity risks among people in Thailand. A total of 111 participants in three urban and peri-urban nature locations answered a survey regarding their distance from green spaces, frequency of visits, and duration of their typical stay, as well as their socio-demographics, and waist-hip ratio (WHR). The results suggested that at least 1-2 h per typical visit to nature predicted low-risk WHR in women. Male participants are more likely to have a high-risk WHR. Increasing age predicted low-risk WHR. Spending more time in green spaces predicted lower odds of high-risk WHR, while distance did not predict the odds. This research is one of the first to study the relationship between time spent in nature and obesity, and one of the first nature and health studies conducted in Thailand. Given that Thailand is one of the countries most affected by obesity in Southeast Asia, this study is relevant and essential. Future research should explore the quality factors of the park with longer duration of stay.

Keywords: Southeast Asia; adiposity; green infrastructure; nature and human health; obesity.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The location of the three study sites.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The frequencies of answers for distance (top), duration (middle), and frequency (bottom) across study locations. MH, Rai Mae Hia; BH, Buak Haad Park; 3K, Three Kings Monument.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The frequencies of answers for distance (top), duration (middle), and frequency (bottom) across study locations. MH, Rai Mae Hia; BH, Buak Haad Park; 3K, Three Kings Monument.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Charts displaying the relationship between age and duration and WHR. The line at 0.8 represented a low-risk WHR, as recommended by WHO [10].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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