A healthy neighbourhood cuts diabetes risk
Posted on Mon, 12 Oct 09
The residential environment we live in may have a large impact on our health. A unique study examining the availability of neighbourhood resources has found that accessibility to healthy food such as fruit and vegetables and greater opportunities to be physically active is associated with a reduced risk for type 2 diabetes (1). With the prevalence of type 2 diabetes expected to rise to 366 million by 2030 this finding has important implications (2).
Better resources, better health
Over a 5 year period it was found that those who lived in a residential neighbourhood with better access to healthier food and resources for physical activity had a significant (38% lower) reduction in the development of type 2 diabetes. The study investigators concluded that “our results are consistent with the hypotheses that improving environmental features such as having nearby, pleasant, safe destinations within walking distance and improving the availability of healthy foods may halt increases in type 2 diabetes incidence.”
Our health is an environmental issue
In an accompanying editorial Dr Mitchell Katz from the San Francisco Department of Public Health commented on the findings “unfortunately, in most developed countries today, the environment offers few opportunities for exercise, and highly processed foods are more plentiful than fresh vegetables and raw grains. While causality cannot be proven, the increase in obesity and type 2 diabetes in developed countries tracks with these environmental changes. If we are to decrease the rates of type 2 diabetes, we need to change the environment in ways that make it easy for people to exercise and eat right as part of their daily routine (3).”
References
1. Amy H. Auchincloss; Ana V. Diez Roux; Mahasin S. Mujahid et al. Neighborhood Resources for Physical Activity and Healthy Foods and Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. Arch Intern Med. 2009; 169:1698-1704.
2. Wild S et al. Global Prevalence of Diabetes. Estimates for the year 2000 and projections for 2030. Diabetes Care 27:1047–1053, 2004
3. Mitchell H. Katz Quality of Residential Neighborhood: A Modifiable Risk Factor for Type 2 Diabetes? Arch Intern Med. 2009; 169:1653-1654.
Tags: Residential Environment, Type 2 Diabetes
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Comments (4)
It seems sad that for the amount of time, energy and money invested into this research by highly trained members of the scientific community, the only response that seems fitting to the information imparted here comes from Buffy the Vampire Slayer
"Does the word d'uh mean anything to you?"
I'm being somewhat cynical. I am sure the research would have produced much more information regarding the influence of environment than we have seen here. But it does seem that the value of common sense and simple observation is being eroded by the mechanisms of science. If there isn't a paper stating something is true, how can it be true?
Not a dig at the blog, (which is great) just at the world of "research"
Keep up the great work!
Posted by Rach
on
Wed, 21 Oct 09 - 12:00am
I think to explore more info should visit british & welcome library, internet maybe?. these articles are just perfectly suitable for the purpose here. for further details check out references. goodwork goodday..
Posted by suzzie-anne smith, art director
on
Mon, 26 Oct 09 - 12:00am
I am feeling happy to hear that A healthy neighbourhood cuts diabetes risk. I am living in a Healthy environment. I hope I would not suffer from this disease.
Posted by tea
(http://www.vitabits.co.uk/tea)
on
Tue, 3 Nov 09 - 12:00am
38% reduced incidence of diabetes is massive. Some of this will be due to socioeconomic factors but clearly, as the Nutrenews piece shows, availability of poor food options leads to poor food choices.
I propose we introduce the opposite of the Heart foundation tick and enforce producers of bad food to have a big brown cross on their product identifying it as a non-food item.
http://tiny.cc/zly2q
Posted by Brendan Penwarden
(http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nutrenews/91396474007?ref=mf)
on
Wed, 25 Nov 09 - 12:00am
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