The results of the study showed that the risks of hyperlipidemia decreased as the size of the green spaces around an individual’s residence increased. (image: KobizMedia/ Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Jan. 3 (Korea Bizwire) – A recent study by preventive medicine researchers at Seoul National University revealed that living near parks or other green spaces can decrease the risk of hyperlipidemia – an unusually high concentration of fats or lipids in the blood resulting from a high cholesterol diet, lack of exercise, or stress.
The research team, led by Dr. Min Kyoung-bok, studied 212,584 adults who participated in the 2009 regional health survey, and divided them into four groups based on their place (cities, counties, or districts) of residence and the size of the parks in the area – 33.31 square meters and more per person, 22.41㎡ to 33.3㎡, 14.9㎡ to 22.4㎡, and less than 14.9㎡ per person.
The results of the study showed that the risks of hyperlipidemia decreased as the size of the green spaces around an individual’s residence increased.
When compared with the group living in a region with the largest green spaces (33.31㎡ per person), the risks of being diagnosed with the condition increased by 1.02 times for those in the second group, 1.11 times for those in third, and 1.3 times for those in last, the team said.
As such, the risk of having to undergo hyperlipidemia treatment also increased by 1.12 times, 1.24 times, and 1.46 times, respectively.
“We have recently seen research results indicating that green spaces can increase physical activity, ease stress and combat air pollution,” said Min, adding that the team’s study also shows that people living near parks can have lower risks of hyperlipidemia.
“We can speculate that living near parks or green spaces gives people more opportunity to exercise, hence reducing the risks,” he said. “But the exact ways in which green spaces affect health have yet to be discovered, and we’ll need further research.”
The full research findings were published in Environmental Research and Public Health.
By Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
