There is consolidated research on the impact of contact with nature on people's health and wellbeing. Most of this research is related to large areas, such as public parks, conservation areas or pristine remote regions. Does anyone has researched the role of small residential backyards on health and wellbeing of residents? I am developing a research on a residential area with large and well vegetated backyards that are exposed to high levels of traffic noise. I am estimating the health impact of noise through a burden of disease approach, and would like to link this to the additional impact of noise restricting residents of using their backyards for relaxation, leisure and family socialisation that would result in positive health outcomes. Any references and opinions will be well regarded to assist me in the progress of this study.
I recommend you to read this paper:
Attractive" quiet" courtyards: A potential modifier of urban residents' responses to road traffic noise? from A Gidlöf-Gunnarsson, E Öhrström. (open access)
http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/7/9/3359/pdf
Hi
Vitamin D status has been found to be better in elderly people who do alot of gardening: see http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0094805, even when confounders controlled for. As people only garden their own backyards (usually) this suggests backyard gardens might be beneficial for vitamin D status.
Dear Simone,
You may find these articles useful:
Van Den Berg AE, Van Winsum-Westra M, De Vries S, Van Dillen SM (2010) Allotment gardening and health: A comparative survey among allotment gardeners and their neighbors without an allotment. Environmental Health 9: 1-12.
Waliczek TM, Zajicek JM, Lineberger RD (2005) The influence of gardening activities on consumer perceptions of life satisfaction. HortScience 40: 1360-1365.
I hope this helps.
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