{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Engagement with nature and proinflammatory biology.
{Author}: Ong AD;Cintron DW;Fuligni GL;
{Journal}: Brain Behav Immun
{Volume}: 119
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: 2024 Jul 29
{Factor}: 19.227
{DOI}: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.03.043
{Abstract}: <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Prior evidence indicates that contact with nature improves physical health, but data explicitly linking engagement with nature to biological processes are limited.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Leveraging survey and biomarker data from 1,244 adults (mean age = 54.50 years, range = 34-84 years) from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS II) study, we examined associations between nature engagement, operationalized as the frequency of pleasant nature encounters, and systemic inflammation. Concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and fibrinogen were measured from fasting blood samples. Analyses adjusted for sociodemographic, health behavior, and psychological well-being covariates.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>More frequent positive nature contact was independently associated with lower circulating levels of inflammation.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>These findings add to a growing literature on the salubrious health effects of nature by demonstrating how such experiences are instantiated in downstream physiological systems, potentially informing future interventions and public health policies.