Effects of school indoor visual environment on children's health outcomes: A systematic review

Xue Meng; Mingxin Zhang; Mohan Wang

doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2023.103021

Effects of school indoor visual environment on children's health outcomes: A systematic review

Health Place. 2023 Sep:83:103021. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2023.103021. Epub 2023 Jul 2.

Authors

Xue Meng¹, Mingxin Zhang¹, Mohan Wang²

Affiliations

¹ School of Architecture, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150006, China; Key Laboratory of Cold Region Urban and Rural Human Settlement Environment Science and Technology, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Harbin, 150006, China.
² School of Architecture, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen, 518055, China. Electronic address: wangmohan@hit.edu.cn.

PMID: 37402338
DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2023.103021

Abstract

Children's visual perceptions are critical for their comfort and health. This review explores the impacts of school indoor visual environment on children's health outcomes. A systematic search yielded 5704 articles, of which 32 studies were reviewed. Five environmental themes were identified: lighting, access to nature, window characteristics, art/environmental aesthetics, and ergonomics/spatial arrangement. Results affirm that visual environment affects children's health. There are disparities across environmental themes, with more extensive evidence for lighting and access to nature, but relatively limited in other areas. This study suggests a need for multi-disciplinary collaboration to develop a holistic perspective.

Keywords: Children; Health outcomes; Indoor environment; Schools; Visual environment.

Publication types

Systematic Review
Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Air Pollution, Indoor*
Child
Child Health*
Humans
Schools