Sometimes I don’t take showers on weekends, and when I backpack, I may not shower all week. I played in mud puddles, creeks, and bogs, and ponds growing up in Michigan. In Butler County, my lab and I kicked off the mud obstacle course every month. It was great fun!
I worry that some kids and adults don’t get these experiences. A 2012 study found that only 51% of children go outside at least once a day. As it turns out, research suggests that getting dirty and muddy actually has many health benefits. The hygiene hypothesis holds that when infants, and young children are exposed to bacteria, parasites, and viruses, they actually have less of a risk of developing autoimmune disease, allergies and asthma as adults. The theory is that just as the brain needs stimulation early in life, so does the immune system. One study found that children exposed to other siblings, day care centers, or lived on farms, had less incidence of allergies.
In addition to autoimmune problems, some studies suggest that exposure to a variety of germs early in life also decreases the chance of inflammation in adulthood. Inflammation is linked with heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. One particular study found that children exposed to feces and had diarrhea actually had less inflammation as adults.
Are we staying too clean, overusing antibiotics and getting rid of those germs that can help our immune systems? We certainly need to wash our hands prior to handling food and after using the restrooms to avoid dangerous pathogens. However, experts recommend carefully considering whether antibiotics are needed for various ailments, and not cleaning and sanitizing everything. Kids and adults should also get outside- camp, hike, kayak, and swim in lakes and creeks. There are many other benefits to playing outside besides building up the immune system such as improving moods, concentration, and increasing physical activity.
Get outside! get dirty!
Author: Dan Remley, Field Specialist, Food, Nutrition, and Wellness, OSU Extension
Reviewer: Susan Zies, Extension Educator, OSU Extension, Wood County
Sources:
Is Dirt Good For Our Kids? WebMD. Accessed on https://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/kids-and-dirt-germs#2
Getting back to the great outdoors. American Psychological Association. Accessed on http://www.apa.org/monitor/2008/03/outdoors.aspx
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