Nature Deficit and Health in the Pediatric Population

The document examines the concept of 'Nature Deficit Disorder' and its correlation with pediatric health issues such as obesity and ADHD, concluding that increased exposure to natural environments promotes healthier childhoods and adult outcomes.

• Decreased exposure to nature, termed 'Nature Deficit Disorder', is associated with 'diminished use of the senses, attention difficulties and higher rates of physical and emotional illness.'
• There is a correlation between sedentary indoor lifestyles and the prevalence of childhood diseases, specifically obesity, asthma, ADHD, and vitamin D deficiency.
• Access to natural environments is linked to better physical health outcomes in children; for instance, children living within one kilometer of a park with a playground were nearly five times more likely to be at a healthier weight than those without such access.
• Spending time outdoors is shown to reduce symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children, including those who have not responded to medication.
• Exposure to nature has positive mental health effects, including the reduction of stress, anxiety, and sadness, and can increase feelings of social safety while reducing aggressive behaviours.
• Early childhood contact with nature and physical activity influences 'life pathways', where 'green exercise at a young age leads to positive health outcomes' and better quality of life in adulthood.
• Access to green spaces may mitigate health inequalities, as evidence from England showed that populations in areas with the most nature had the lowest all-cause mortality and mortality from circulatory diseases related to income deprivation.

APA

Wade, C. (2014). Nature Deficit and Health in the Pediatric Population. Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment. https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Wade-C.-Nature-Deficit-and-Health-in-the-Pediatric-Population-a-Critical-Appraisal.-1-February-2014..pdf

Chicago

Wade, C. Nature Deficit and Health in the Pediatric Population. Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, 2014. https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Wade-C.-Nature-Deficit-and-Health-in-the-Pediatric-Population-a-Critical-Appraisal.-1-February-2014..pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Wade |first1=C. |title=Nature Deficit and Health in the Pediatric Population |publisher=Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment |date=1 February 2014 |url=https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Wade-C.-Nature-Deficit-and-Health-in-the-Pediatric-Population-a-Critical-Appraisal.-1-February-2014..pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wade2014nature, author = {Wade, C.}, title = {{Nature Deficit and Health in the Pediatric Population}}, institution = {Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment}, year = {2014}, month = feb, url = {https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Wade-C.-Nature-Deficit-and-Health-in-the-Pediatric-Population-a-Critical-Appraisal.-1-February-2014..pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }