Type 2 diabetes is one of the fastest-growing health problems around the world. More than 500 million people are living with the disease, and experts expect that number to keep rising over the coming decades.
Type 2 diabetes develops when the body can no longer use insulin properly or make enough of it to keep blood sugar under control.
High blood sugar over many years can damage the heart, kidneys, eyes, nerves, and blood vessels. Because of this, researchers are looking for simple everyday habits that may lower the risk of developing the disease before it starts.
One possible answer may be closer than many people think. A new study led by researchers at the University of Queensland suggests that having a home garden or living close to several parks could help lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.
The researchers wanted to understand whether green spaces around people’s homes affect long-term health. Earlier studies had shown that spending time in nature can improve physical activity, reduce stress, and support overall wellbeing, but fewer studies had looked specifically at diabetes.
To investigate this question, the team analyzed information from more than 19,000 people in the UK Biobank, one of the world’s largest long-term health studies. They examined whether participants had a home garden and how many parks were located within about 800 meters of where they lived.
The results were encouraging. People with a substantial home garden had a 6.8% lower chance of developing type 2 diabetes than people without a garden.
The researchers also found another benefit. People who lived close to several parks were 5.7% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those living in areas with fewer nearby green spaces.
Lead researcher Dr. Chinonso Odebeatu said these findings suggest that gardens offer much more than an attractive view. They may provide important health benefits that should be considered when cities and neighborhoods are designed.
Gardens can encourage people to move more because they involve planting, watering, weeding, and other light physical activities. Parks also provide places for walking, cycling, playing, and exercising, helping people stay active throughout life.
Associate Professor Nicholas Osborne said spending time outdoors may also improve vitamin D levels from sunlight. Natural environments can also reduce stress, improve mental wellbeing, and expose people to helpful microbes that support gut health and the immune system.
The researchers believe these combined effects may help lower diabetes risk over time. However, the study found an association rather than proving that gardens directly prevent diabetes. Other healthy lifestyle habits may also contribute to the lower risk seen in people with more access to green space.
Even so, the findings have important implications as more cities build high-density housing. Including parks, community gardens, and private green spaces in future developments could provide health benefits for millions of people.
The study was led by Dr. Chinonso Odebeatu and colleagues at the University of Queensland and was published in BMC Public Health.
The findings are convincing because the study included a very large number of participants and examined real-world living environments. However, because it was an observational study, it cannot prove that gardens alone reduce diabetes risk.
Future studies that follow people over time or test gardening programs directly will help confirm whether increasing access to green spaces can prevent type 2 diabetes.
Even with this limitation, the research supports the idea that healthy communities depend not only on medical care but also on well-designed neighborhoods that encourage people to spend time outdoors.
Source: The University of Queensland.
