Type 2 diabetes is a complex disease which involves genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors.  Experts are now beginning to talk of the danger of a world wide ‘epidemic’ of type 2 diabetes, fuelled by obesity, lack of physical activity and easy availability of calorie-dense foods.  Therefore, research into lifestyle factors and behavioural change are very important if the rising trend in type 2 diabetes is to be slowed. Researchers at Drexel University School of Public Health reveal an interesting new contribution when they say that they believe even the type of neighborhood you live in can have an impact on type 2 diabetes risk.

They studied 2,285 individuals enrolled at three sites in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis and measured their blood glucose levels, which is indicative of either type 2 diabetes or a precursor condition that will develop into type 2 diabetes. The three sites involved were Baltimore, Forsyth County and New York City (Bronx). In a separate part of the study, these neighborhoods were rated for their ‘healthiness’ using the Community Survey.  A healthy neighborhood is one where it is easy and pleasant to take physical activity and there is ready access to stores that sell healthy foods and snacks.

Over five years of follow up, 10.2% of the participants developed type 2 diabetes.  The healthier neighborhoods were linked to a 38% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Town planners should take note.  We need safe walkways, support for fresh-food markets, for instance, particularly in those environments that are currently poor in these respects. The investment would be well rewarded by a significant decrease in the risk of type 2 diabetes in their neighborhood. How do you think your neighborhood fares when it comes to promoting a healthy lifestyle and a reduced type 2 diabetes risk?
 

Source:

Katz MH Quality of residential neighborhood: A modifiable risk factor for type 2 diabetes? Archives of Internal Medicine October 12 2009;169: 1653-1654