Green area helps kids

HAVING outdoor space to play in is not only good for children’s physical health but also vital for their mental wellbeing, new research has found.

A report to be presented to the Ecocity World Summit in Melbourne this week says that high-density neighbourhoods need more green space to give children a healthy start in life.

The Australian study is one of the world’s largest studies into the mental and physical health of children up to the age of 13. Data from 10,000 Aussie kids was analysed.

Researchers at the University of Wollongong found marked differences in children who grew up in greener neighbourhoods compared to those with less access to park areas.