Association of urban green and blue space with accelerated ageing: A cohort Study in the UK Biobank.

Abstract

Objective: We investigated the associations between urban green and blue spaces and the incidence of accelerated ageing, which have rarely been studied.

Methods: Analyzed UK Biobank data (2006-2010) on 440,785 participants, focusing on urban green and blue space (UGBS). General linear models and logistics models assessed links between UGBS and accelerated ageing (Klemera-Doubal method, telomere length and frailty). Mediation analysis examined the role of pollution and other factors.

Results: After controlling for random effects and various types of covariates, we found that 1) populations with higher levels of UGBS exposure are associated with accelerated ageing and slowing down; 2) UGBS has the greatest impact on accelerated ageing within a 1000-m street network buffer distance; 3) Participants living in heavily polluted areas should pay more attention to UGBS; 4) Intermediary analysis found that UGBS mainly accelerates aging by reducing harm, rather than affecting the population's ability to recover and build.

Conclusions: UGBS with a composite weighted score showed a better correlation with accelerated ageing than green spaces. Other factors such as gender, race and lifestyle also influence the impact of the environment on accelerated ageing.