Football fields and open meadows are important to the health of children, one expert has advised those in care of youngsters' health.

According to GreenSpace access to open spaces in childhood will help establish healthy lifestyle habits in the very young, which will hopefully carry over into adult life.

An observational population study, published in The Lancet, into the effect of exposure to natural environment on health inequalities found that populations that are exposed to the greenest environments also have lowest levels of health inequality related to income deprivation.

Furthermore, physical environments that promote good health might be important to reduce socioeconomic health inequalities.

A different study, called "The value of public space: how high quality parks and public spaces create economic, social and environmental value", revealed that it is estimated that each year well over half the UK population – some 33 million people – make more than 2.5 billion visits to urban green spaces alone.

Another 85 per cent of the people surveyed felt that the quality of public space and the built environment has a direct impact on their lives and on the way they feel.

David Tibbatts, general manager of GreenSpace, which is a charity that campaigns to improve public spaces, said: "It would seem reasonable to assume that easy access to locally based sports and fitness opportunities will only encourage participation, especially when facilities are freely available - as in the case of many parks facilities.

"This ease of access is particularly important in terms of establishing healthy lifestyle habits in the very young."

The expert also noted that access to green spaces will help reduce stress levels in both adults and children.

Mr Tibbattts said that green spaces are "strongly connected" with accelerating and improving recovery from illness and injury while reducing the medication needed to support that recovery.

He explained: "Green spaces also contribute to improved air quality: reducing pollutants and potentially harmful particulates as well as the ambient air temperature.

"Those living in close proximity to green spaces will benefit the most from this improved air quality."

He noted that studies have found a link between people's health and how they feel about where they live.

"Good green spaces bring communities closer together, breaking down social barriers, reducing social exclusion and isolation and increasing social cohesion, providing people with a greater sense of place and belonging," he concluded.