Exercising in Nature Reduces Depression, Improves Health

 Getting active in places like parks and beaches could stop about 13,000 diseases a year in England, saving over £100 million in healthcare. This research shows how being in nature can slash the risk of stuff like heart problems, diabetes, and cancer.

By crunching big data and using solid science, this study argues for keeping natural spots open and nice for everyone's health. It shouts out how we've been sleeping on the power of outdoor fun to keep diseases at bay and pushes for more cash to keep our green spaces thriving.

Quick Facts:

Disease Buster: Being active outdoors could stop 12,763 diseases a year in England.

Cash Saver: This means we could save about £108.7 million in healthcare each year, just by hitting the great outdoors.

Global Health Tip: The World Health Organization says we should get 150 to 300 minutes of moderate exercise each week, but lots of folks aren't hitting that mark. This study says we need more ways to get moving, like hanging out in nature.

Research from the University of Exeter reveals that engaging in physical activity in natural settings prevents nearly 13,000 cases of non-communicable diseases annually in England, and it saves over £100 million in treatment costs.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that non-communicable diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and chronic lung disease, are responsible for 74 percent of global deaths. These diseases, also called chronic diseases, are not transmitted from person to person, and their death toll is on the rise in most nations.

Not getting enough physical activity is linked to various non-communicable diseases, such as heart problems, diabetes, cancer, and mental health issues.

In the WHO's Global Status Report on Physical Activity 2022, it's projected that if physical activity levels stay the same, there will be 500 million new cases of these diseases worldwide between 2020 and 2030, costing over £21 billion annually for treatment.

Natural settings, like beaches, countryside, and city parks, encourage people to be active, as highlighted in a recent study from the University of Exeter. Using data from a survey of the English population, researchers estimated how many cases of six non-communicable diseases could be prevented through outdoor physical activity.

Dr. James Grellier from the University of Exeter Medical School, discussing the study published in Environment International, stated, "We believe this is the first time an assessment like this has been done nationally, and we've likely underestimated the true value of outdoor physical activity in preventing diseases. While we focused on six common diseases, there are others that can also be prevented, including less common cancers and mental health conditions. It's worth noting that our estimates reflect yearly costs. Since chronic diseases can last for years, the overall impact of physical activity in preventing each case is likely much higher."

Boosting physical activity levels among the population is a key goal for global public health organizations. According to the WHO, adults aged 18 to 64 should aim for 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week (or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity) to stay healthy. However, nearly 28 percent of adults worldwide fall short of these recommendations.

In England, a study by researchers from Exeter found that in 2019, 22 million adults aged 16 and above visited natural spaces at least once a week. Based on the physical activity reported during these visits, it's estimated that this prevented around 12,763 cases of non-communicable diseases, saving approximately £108.7 million in healthcare costs annually.

Data from the Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment survey were used to gauge the weekly amount of nature-based recreational physical activity among adults in England in 2019.

“We believe that our study should motivate decision-makers seeking to increase physical activity in the local population to invest in natural spaces, such as parks, to make it easier for people to be physically active.”

The researchers employed epidemiological dose–response data to determine the number of incident cases prevented for six non-communicable diseases through physical activity in natural environments. They then calculated associated savings using healthcare, informal care, and productivity loss costs. Notably, the healthcare cost of physical inactivity in England in 2019 is estimated to be around £1 billion.

Dr. James Grellier from the University of Exeter Medical School emphasized the accessibility and informality of nature-based physical activity, stating, “For those who may not have access, desire, or confidence for organized sports or fitness activities, engaging in physical activity in natural settings is a more widely available option. Our study should encourage decision-makers to invest in natural spaces like parks to facilitate physical activity among the local population.”