Home gardens lower type 2 diabetes risk

A University of Queensland-led study published in National Public Health Coalition analyzed data from over 19,000 UK Biobank participants with type 2 diabetes, evaluating greenspace availability at their home addresses, including residential gardens and parks within an 800-meter radius. The study found that people with a substantial home garden had a 6.8% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and those living near multiple parks had a 5.7% lower risk. Lead author Chinonso Odebeatu and coauthor Nicholas Osborne highlighted that gardens and parks promote physical activity, vitamin D exposure, stress reduction, and beneficial microbes, which may contribute to lower diabetes risk. The researchers emphasized the importance of incorporating green spaces into urban planning, especially as high-density housing increases. The study is observational and does not prove causation, but it adds to evidence that greener neighborhoods support better health. The research was conducted in collaboration with Channing Division of Network Medicine, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Portland State University, and Oregon Health and Science University.