Newswise — Fresh research indicates that residing in regions with significant amounts of fast food, alcohol, and gambling establishments can have adverse effects on the mental well-being of young individuals.
Conducted by Dr. Nick Bowden, a Research Fellow at the University of Otago, and Dr. Matt Hobbs from the University of Canterbury, the study, which was published in the journal Social Science and Medicine, examined the data of almost one million individuals aged between 10 to 24 years, to explore whether their mental health is linked to the surroundings in which they are raised.
The investigators utilized the Healthy Location Index, a metric created by the GeoHealth Laboratory at the University of Canterbury, along with mental health data at the population level from Statistics New Zealand's Integrated Data Infrastructure.
The findings revealed that in 2018, roughly one out of every ten young individuals were identified as having a mental health ailment.
The study found that young people residing in environments that restrict healthy behaviors - characterized by nearby dairies, alcohol, fast food and gambling establishments, limited access to green spaces, blue spaces, fruit and vegetable stores, and physical activity venues - were at a higher risk of experiencing worse mental and emotional well-being.
On the other hand, the research showed that young individuals living in environments that promote healthy behavior - marked by restricted availability of unhealthy features and ample access to healthy features - were less likely to have issues with substance abuse.
Additionally, the findings suggested that hospitalizations due to self-harm were more prevalent in health-constraining environments, while they were less common in health-promoting environments. However, the prevalence of behavioral problems, such as ADHD, was comparatively constant across all environments.
According to Dr. Bowden, while it is recognized that environmental factors are just one of the multifaceted elements that affect young individuals' mental health, the study's outcomes could assist policy-makers in designing practical interventions.
"The determinants of mental health are intricate, but we can potentially enhance mental health on a population level by ensuring that the surroundings in which individuals are raised are healthy and expose them to minimal potential risk factors," said Dr. Bowden.
Dr. Bowden further added, "Certain aspects of this issue may not have a simple solution, as it involves urban planning and the development of green spaces, among other things. However, in other cases, it is about modifying policies, such as decreasing the number of gaming venues and pokie machines, particularly in lower-income areas that are currently targeted by the gambling industry. It's also about empowering communities to advocate for their desires in their neighborhoods, such as protesting against the establishment of new alcohol outlets."
This investigation is a component of a larger two-year initiative, which is financed by Cure Kids and the Better Start National Science Challenge.
Dr. Bowden stated that the research team is dedicated to conducting research that considers multiple factors, including environmental impacts, due to the limitations of less nuanced public health interventions. He added that they believe a more comprehensive approach that includes cultural variations, and engagement with individuals and communities, is essential.
RSS