Nationwide Research on the Rewilding of Kindergarten Yards

Conditions studied

Microbial Colonization, Atopic Dermatitis, Asthma in Children, Allergy, Cognitive Change, Respiratory Infection, Nature, Human

About this study

Biodiversity is essential for nature and human well-being. Land use has reduced biodiversity in cities that is associated with altered commensal microbiota and a rising burden of immunological disorders among urban children. The investigators will estimate how rewilding of kindergarten yards affects commensal microbiome, prevalence of allergies, asthma, atopic dermatitis and infections, cortisol levels, cognitive skills and plasma cytokine levels of children. Our specific aims are: To assess if rewilding diversifies health-associated skin, saliva and gut microbiota and reduces infectious diseases and atopic or allergic symptoms. Assess whether the rewilding has positive effects on cognitive skills. Assess whether the rewilding changes cortisol and plasma cytokine levels. The investigators will recruit altogether 320 (160 per treatment) study subjects aged between 1-5 to questionnaire study (Task 2), from which 120 study subjects will be analyzed more detailed using microbiological and blood samples (Task 1).

Interventions

• Other: Biodiversity — In rewilding kindergartens, the yards are modified with biological elements, i.e., vegetation and plantation will be added to the yards.
• Other: Playground equipment — Playground equipment that increase the physical activity of children will be added to the kindergarten yards.

Primary outcomes

• Skin Gammaproteobacteria (Baseline, 3 month, 1 year, 2 year, 3 year)

Eligibility information

Study locations

• Natural Resources Institute Finland, Helsinki, Uusimaa 00970 Finland
• Tampere University, Tampere, Finland