This study examined whether living near green spaces or the level of greenness around mothers' residences affected pregnancy outcomes including birth weight, gestational age, and risk of preterm delivery. The study was conducted in Tel Aviv, Israel using a birth cohort of over 39,000 births from 2000-2006.
Data on birth outcomes were collected from birth records. Greenness of the area surrounding mothers' residences was defined as the average of satellite-based Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for buffer rings surrounding the residence. Proximity to major green space was defined as residence within a 300m buffer of the boundaries of a major green space.
The results showed an increase in birth weight and a reduced risk of a Low Birth Weight for children born to mothers living in areas with increased greenness (within 250m of their homes) and mothers living within 300m of major green spaces. Results for Very Low Birthweight were not significant, possibly due to the small number of births that fell into this category. No associations were found for gestational age or risk of preterm birth. In further analysis, this study found that the strongest association between exposure to greenness and birth weight and risk of Low Birth Weight occurred in women from the lowest socioeconomic (SES) strata based on ward-level data regarding SES, suggesting greater benefits of greenness for mothers living in more disadvantaged situations. This finding may present a useful avenue for public health intervention through provision of green spaces in more deprived areas.
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