Daycares in Finland Grew Forests, And It Changed Kids’ Immune Systems

Impact of Green Spaces on Children’s Immune System

A recent experiment conducted in Finland suggests that spending time in green spaces can have a significant impact on a child’s immune system. The study, which focused on daycare centers, found that introducing natural elements such as grass, forest undergrowth, and planter boxes with crops led to positive changes in the diversity of microbes in children’s guts and on their skin. These changes were associated with improved immune markers in their blood within just one month.

The Role of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This study aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
3. SDG 15: Life on Land

Manipulating Urban Environments for Research

This experiment in Finland was the first of its kind to deliberately modify a child’s urban environment and examine the resulting changes in their microbiome and immune system. By comparing different daycare centers, researchers were able to demonstrate that exposure to green spaces positively influenced the diversity of microbes in children’s bodies.

The Biodiversity Hypothesis

The findings of this study support the biodiversity hypothesis, which suggests that a lack of biodiversity in urban areas may contribute to the prevalence of immune-related diseases. The researchers propose that contact with nature can help prevent disorders in the immune system, such as autoimmune diseases and allergies.

Study Design and Results

The study involved 75 children aged three to five years from 10 different urban daycare centers. Some centers had standard yards with concrete and gravel, while others incorporated daily nature time or updated their yards with grass and forest undergrowth. The children in the latter group had the opportunity to play in the green spaces five times a week for 28 days.

Comparing the microbiota of the children’s skin and gut before and after the trial, researchers observed increased diversity in the microbial communities of those who regularly played in green spaces. Specifically, the presence of gammaproteobacteria was associated with enhanced immune defense in the skin and increased beneficial immune secretions in the blood.

Implications and Future Research

While further research is needed to establish the causal effects of nature on children’s health, these findings highlight the potential benefits of green spaces for immune system development. Additionally, spending time outdoors has been linked to improved eyesight, better mental health, and even structural changes in children’s brains. Encouraging children to bond with nature can also foster environmental consciousness, which is crucial for addressing global challenges.

Conclusion

The study emphasizes the importance of incorporating green spaces into urban environments, especially in daycare centers and other settings where children spend significant amounts of time. By promoting contact with nature, we can contribute to the well-being of children and support the achievement of various SDGs related to health, sustainable cities, and biodiversity conservation.

An earlier version of this article was published in October 2020.