Kids who spend more time outdoors have better eyesight: study

Children who spend more time outdoors not only reduce their risk of obesity by increasing their physical activity; they are less likely to have myopia as well. According to the National Eye Institute, myopia, or nearsightnedness, is a common vision problem where the eye sees nearby objects but cannot see objects that are far away clearly.

In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Chinese researchers have found that 40 minutes of extra outdoor activity can reduce the risk of developing myopia in children. For the study, the researchers looked at more than 1,900 primary school children in 12 schools in Guangzhou, China for three years. In half of the participating schools, the children were asked to spend 40 extra minutes outdoors while the other half kept their regular schedule.

After the study period, the researchers found that the students who belonged in the group that spent more time outside had 30.4 percent incidence of myopia, while those in the other group had 39.5 percent incidence of myopia.

"Our study achieved an absolute difference of 9.1 percent in the incidence rate of myopia, representing a 23 percent relative reduction in incident myopia after 3 years, which was less than the anticipated reduction," the authors wrote in the journal, according to a report by CBS News. "Thus a delay in the onset of myopia in young children, who tend to have a higher rate of progression, could provide disproportionate long-term eye health benefits."

According to NBC News, the authors also noted that younger children with myopia tend to have severe cases of the condition later in life. Additionally, the researchers are not sure how staying outdoors can let kids have better vision. The report inferred that it might be due to sunlight exposure, exercise, physical activity or combination of the three.

Although further research needs to be conducted, the results of the study have shown that spending time outdoors is crucial for children.

"Both schools and parents should encourage students to spend more time outdoors so long as the UV protection measures are undertaken," said lead author Dr. Mingguang He of Guangzhou's Sun Yat-sen University, in a report by UPI. "Schools, if they can't add more outdoor classes in the curriculum, should at least bring the students outside during school recess. Parents should encourage or bring their children outside on the weekends, in particular children at high risk developing myopia, for example, children who have parents who are both myopic."