Australian Study Finds Home Gardens Linked to Lower Diabetes Risk

People with home gardens or who live near multiple parks are less likely to develop type 2 diabetes, an Australian study has found, underscoring the need to prioritize green spaces in urban planning.

The study found people with a substantial garden had a 6.8 percent lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those without a garden. People living near several parks were also 5.7 percent less likely to develop the disease, according to a statement released Thursday by Australia’s University of Queensland (UQ).

“Current housing challenges mean there are more high-density residential dwellings under development, and this research shows public health considerations need to be prioritized when planning green spaces,” said lead author Chinonso Odebeatu from UQ’s School of Public Health.

The study, published in the journal BMC Public Health, analyzed data from more than 19,000 participants in the UK Biobank with type 2 diabetes and assessed the availability of green spaces around their home addresses, including residential gardens and parks within an 800-meter radius.

Researchers said home gardens and nearby parks may help reduce diabetes risk by encouraging physical activity, increasing vitamin D exposure and providing mental health benefits. Staying outdoors may also improve gut health and strengthen the immune system through exposure to a range of microbes.

More than 500 million people worldwide are living with diabetes, with that figure projected to reach 1.31 billion by 2050, according to the researchers. (XINHUA)