Call it ODD, although according to New York Times health writer Jane Brody, outdoor deprivation disorder is not odd; it’s all too common. Brody reports that a general and widespread disconnect with the natural environment had been linked in a host of studies to obesity and obesity-related diseases in children and adults, including Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, asthma and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, as well as vitamin D deficiency, osteoporosis, stress, depression, attention deficit disorder and myopia. Yikes, it that all? No. It’s also linked to lower cognitive function.The problem is apparently so acute that doctors have begun writing prescriptions for outdoor activity, providing patients with maps, guidelines and programs of gradually increased activity. The good news, Brody tells us, is that the treatment is widely available and usually free: all we have to do is get outside. What do you think? Do we need to get outside more often than we do? Click on “comments” below, and let us know.
Health, fitness and lifestyle tips for people over 50 who still like to play hard
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
To commune with nature is to commune with God
chaplainjc
Yes, our kids get indoor structured physical education, but fewer and fewer get to play outdoors on the playground at school. Many folks are advocating more outdoor recess at school from the American Academy of Pediatrics to NEA and Secretary of Education. Even the National Association of Sports and Physical Education want students outdoors for recess 20 minutes a day in addition to thier structured PE.
I absolutely think that this is true. But I wonder, if it is just being outside or if it is being outside in a natural environment? Probably either is better than just being indoors, but being in nature reminds us of the natural rhythm and pace of the world in a way that simply being outdoors on a sidewalk may not.
I wonder if this is mainly for people in the city? I try to get out as often as I can.And I take vitamin D3 every day to be on the safe side.I think every one should have a out door routine of some kind and as often as possible.In the country their is not as much pollution as in the city,so that makes it even better on you’re health and it makes it easy to stay out longer. As always,I wish you the best of health and wealth,may God Bless and keep you safe.
It is a social disorder as well, and couldn’t agree more with the article. In Michigan, (high in the obesity ranking) I see parents with their kids waiting in the car for the school bus each morning, at the end of their driveway! Parent retreats to house using the car after the bus arrives.
Glad to hear some docs are prescribing outdoor activity.
I need to get outside often. I even bought some Happy Lites for gloomy days to keep the real sunshine glowing even inside.
Well, is 23F degrees and 35mph gusts outside. I don’t know.