Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41464439›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of environmental research and public health2025

Greening Schoolyards to Improve Child Health: A Quasi-Experimental Study Protocol in Belgian and Dutch Primary Schools.

Bo H W van Engelen, Lore Verheyen, Bjorn Winkens, Michelle Plusquin, Robert Malina, Onno C P van Schayck

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in International journal of environmental research and public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Bo H W van EngelenDepartment of Family Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Lore VerheyenCentre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium.ORCID 0000-0003-4641-6901
Bjorn WinkensDepartment of Methodology and Statistics, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0002-6747-6228
Michelle PlusquinCentre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium.
Robert MalinaEnvironmental Economics Research Group, Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium.
Onno C P van SchayckDepartment of Family Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0002-3016-1476

Funding

Province of Limburg 2021/1702
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundChildhood obesity and mental health problems are major public health concerns worldwide. Early-life exposure to green spaces has been shown to promote physical activity, reduce obesity risk, and improve cognitive and emotional development. Schoolyards offer a unique opportunity to promote health, as children spend a large proportion of their time at school.

methodsThis quasi-experimental protocol study investigates the effects of transforming gray schoolyards into biodiverse green spaces on children's health and well-being. Four primary schools in Limburg (Belgium and The Netherlands) were recruited: two intervention schools and two control schools. Children aged 7-12 years were enrolled, with baseline data collected in November 2021 and follow-up measurements scheduled every six months until November 2023. Outcomes include body mass index (BMI) z-score (primary outcome), waist circumference, diet, cognitive performance, psychological well-being, biodiversity knowledge, and physical activity. Data will be analyzed using linear mixed models, and cost-effectiveness analyses will be performed. EXPECTED

resultsImprovements in BMI z-scores, cognitive functioning, dietary behavior, and psychological well-being are expected among children in green schoolyards compared to those in control schools. Increased biodiversity awareness and reduced exposure to black carbon are also anticipated.

conclusionsThis study is designed to provide evidence on the health impacts of greener schoolyards and contribute to strategies for promoting child development through environmental interventions.

Indexed as

Child HealthHealth PromotionSchoolsBelgiumBody Mass IndexChildExerciseFemaleHumansMaleNetherlandsBMI z-scorechild healthcognitiongreen schoolyardsphysical activitystudy protocolwell-being

Identifiers

PMID41464439
PMCPMC12732901

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.