The effects of an Urban Forest Health Intervention Program on physical activity, substance abuse, psychosomatic symptoms, and life satisfaction among adolescents
An urban forest program promotes physical activity and decreases risky behavior in at-risk adolescents
This study evaluated the outcomes of an Urban Forest Health Intervention Program (UFHIP) serving at-risk adolescents in Israel. Assessments focused on changes in physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, psychosomatic symptoms, and life satisfaction.
A total of 76 at-risk adolescents participated in the study – 53 in the intervention group; 23 in a control group. All participants were attending a youth advancement center which provides educational services for children and youth who had dropped out of the formal education system. Adolescents in the intervention group filled out questionnaires before and after their participation in the UFHIP program. Adolescents in the control group did not participate in the program but did complete pre- and post-questionnaires. The UFHIP was developed as a collaborative effort involving several educational, health-related, and civic organizations. UFHIP engaged students in a variety of physical activities in a forest setting three times a week over a period of approximately 10 months. The activities included hiking, bike riding, and rope climbing. The program also included informational sessions on nutrition and physical activity and group activities designed to promote personal and group leadership. The activities in the forest were instructor-led and lasted about 60 minutes. Participants were not randomly assigned to participate in the intervention or control group.
The pre- and post-surveys completed by all the participants collected information about smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, nutritional habits, physical exercise, internet use, life satisfaction, socio-demographic factors, and body mass index. The survey also included questions focusing on attitudes, perceptions, and behavioral patterns regarding urban forests. Findings showed significant positive changes in physical activity, level of smoking, alcohol consumption, psychosomatic symptoms, and life satisfaction for participants in the intervention group. There were no significant changes in these areas for the control group.
These findings indicate that the Urban Forest Health Intervention Program was effective in increasing physical activity and reducing risky behaviors among at-risk adolescents. These findings add support the use of natural settings for promoting youth development.
Citation
Tesler, R., Plaut, P., Endvelt, R., (2018). The effects of an Urban Forest Health Intervention Program on physical activity, substance abuse, psychosomatic symptoms, and life satisfaction among adolescents. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(10)
