Undisputed fact is essential when it comes to weight loss...

It sounds obvious anyway, but research carried out in the United States has categorically proved that children that live near open spaces like public gardens and parks are far less likely to be overweight or obese. We almost thought that this research was a bit of a waste of time because the results could have been predicted but then again these projects are important as they actually prove something that until before was just hearsay and conjecture as opposed to undisputed fact.

Undisputed fact is essential when it comes to weight loss as so many people who have a weight problem find it very difficult to face facts and they kid themselves about the reality of their problem. Clinical research therefore is needed for example to prove that people who live in areas where restaurants serve larger portions and high fat meals are likely to be obese or overweight along with those people who don’t exercise.

In this new research over seven thousand children between the years of 3 to 18 were looked at and by using Body Mass Index analysis they were put into various categories for being normal weight, overweight or obese. Other things looked at were the demographics of the area and the amount of open and green spaces along with the amount of junk food outlets, supermarkets and the like and with this data the researchers attempted to see if patterns were emerging.

What was very clear was that those children who were fortunate enough to have a lot of green areas around them were much more likely to be thin and of normal weight than those who lived in green free areas. The researchers said that they could not categorically prove that the green spaces meant that the children were doing more exercise and thus burning off more calories but the likelihood is that that was the reason for them being thinner than the other children.

The other factor to bear in mind is that poorer areas tend to have less open spaces and children from poorer families tend also to be overweight as they have a more restricted access to healthy food. For this survey therefore to prove completely that open green spaces can mean weight loss and thinner children the research would have to be done using children from the same socio economic backgrounds and with the only variable being the amount of green space. This would be very complicated and probably a waste of time and money.

Ukmedix News says keep it simple…If you want your children to grow up thin and healthy make sure they get some good exercise everyday and that they don’t watch too much TV and play computer games all day. Having a big green area nearby will obviously make this easier!