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

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.