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Study finds link between being in green spaces and reduced risk of obesity-related cancer
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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A University of Queensland-led study has found a link between access to gardens and a reduced risk of obesity-related cancer diagnosis.
PhD candidate Chinonso Odebeatu, from UQ's School of Public Health, said the team analysed data from almost 280,000 people aged 37 to 73 in England, Scotland and Wales, recruited between 2006 and 2010.
"We used the large-scale biomedical database Biobank UK and identified green spaces around participants' homes using the Ordnance Survey MasterMap Greenspace dataset.
We were interested in how green spaces might influence specific health outcomes, so data were linked to the UK National Cancer Registry.
We found that nearly 10,000 of the 279,000 participants developed obesity-related cancer over an eight-year follow-up period.
When we looked at the amount and types of green space around the participants, we found that access to a private residential garden was associated with a lower risk of cancer, particularly breast and uterine cancer." - Chinonso Odebeathu from UQ's School of Public Health
The researchers noted that the results suggest that green spaces around the home provide people with opportunities to exercise, get more vitamin D and/or reduce their exposure to air pollution.
Mr Odebeatu added that certain groups of people showed greater positive effects from access to a garden at home.
"For example, women, people who have never smoked, and people who do not drink alcohol," he said.
"It was also more beneficial for people who were more physically active, did not have cardiovascular problems and did not suffer from vitamin D deficiency."
Associate Professor Nicholas Osborne, from UQ's School of Public Health, said the findings support policies and initiatives aimed at increasing people's access to green spaces.
"We know that living in areas with plenty of green space can have positive effects on both physical and mental health and wellbeing," Dr Osborne said.
"This study provides a better understanding of this connection.
"Of course, not everyone has access to their own garden, so in such cases it can be useful to encourage community gardening.
"Encouraging outdoor activity and ensuring adequate vitamin D levels may further enhance these benefits."
The scientific article was published in the journal Science of The Total Environment.