Health News
Researchers at Drexel University revealed how being in nature benefits dietary diversity and fruit and vegetable consumption in humans. The study is published in the American Journal of Health Promotion.
The Study
The researchers surveyed over 300 adult participants from Philadelphia. They were asked to fill out questionnaires about their nature-relatedness, perspective of nature, dietary intake, etc. Their demographic characteristics like race, gender, income, education, etc. were also taken into account.
The Findings
The results showed that being in nature considerably influenced a person’s dietary intake, dietary diversity, and fruit and vegetable consumption. In fact, participants with a stronger connection to nature reported a more varied and nutritious diet.
Towards Interventions
The research team is enthusiastic that the findings can aid the better incorporation of nature in experiences, interventions, and health care practices in a number of settings. The usage of such nature-related practices will improve our health and wellbeing.
Elaborating on how the study impacts health promotion practices, one of the lead researchers, Brandy-Joe Milliron, remarked: “First, nature-based health promotion interventions may increase nature-relatedness across the lifespan and potentially improve dietary intake. And second, augmenting dietary interventions with nature-based activities may lead to greater improvements in dietary quality.”
To Know More You May Refer To
Milliron, B.-J., Ward, D., Granche, J., Mensinger, J., Stott, D., Chenault, C., Montalto, F., & Ellis, E. V. (2022). Nature Relatedness Is Positively Associated With Dietary Diversity and Fruit and Vegetable Intake in an Urban Population. American Journal of Health Promotion. https://doi.org/10.1177/08901171221086941
