@article{ref1,
title="Outdoor blue spaces, human health and well-being: a systematic review of quantitative studies",
journal="International journal of hygiene and environmental health",
year="2017",
author="Gascon, Mireia and Zijlema, Wilma and Vert, Cristina and White, Mathew P. and Nieuwenhuijsen, Mark J.",
volume="220",
number="8",
pages="1207-1221",
abstract="BACKGROUND: A growing number of quantitative studies have investigated the potential benefits of outdoor blue spaces (lakes, rivers, sea, etc) and human health, but there is not yet a systematic review synthesizing this evidence. <br><br>OBJECTIVES: To systematically review the current quantitative evidence on human health and well-being benefits of outdoor blue spaces. <br><br>METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analysis, observational and experimental quantitative studies focusing on both residential and non-residential outdoor blue space exposure were searched using specific keywords. <br><br>RESULTS: In total 35 studies were included in the current systematic review, most of them being classified as of &quot;good quality&quot; (N=22). The balance of evidence suggested a positive association between greater exposure to outdoor blue spaces and both benefits to mental health and well-being (N=12 studies) and levels of physical activity (N=13 studies). The evidence of an association between outdoor blue space exposure and general health (N=6 studies), obesity (N=8 studies) and cardiovascular (N=4 studies) and related outcomes was less consistent. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Although encouraging, there remains relatively few studies and a large degree of heterogeneity in terms of study design, exposure metrics and outcome measures, making synthesis difficult. Further research is needed using longitudinal research and natural experiments, preferably across a broader range of countries, to better understand the causal associations between blue spaces, health and wellbeing.<br><br>Copyright © 2017 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1438-4639",
doi="10.1016/j.ijheh.2017.08.004",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2017.08.004"
}