Associations of perceived neighborhood safety and crime with cardiometabolic risk factors among a population with type 2 diabetes. (May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tamayo, Aracely; Karter, Andrew J.; Mujahid, Mahasin S.; Warton, E. Margaret; Moffet, Howard H.; Adler, Nancy; Schillinger, Dean; Hendrickson O'Connell, Bethany; Laraia, Barbara
• Is Part Of: Health & place. Volume 39(2016:May)
• Page Start: 116
• Page End: 121
• Publication Date: 2016-05
• Subjects: Neighborhood -- Safety -- Crime -- Diabetes -- Obesity; Health -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Health services accessibility -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Political planning -- Periodicals; Social medicine -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Health Policy -- Periodicals; Health Services Accessibility -- Periodicals; Public Health -- Periodicals; Public Policy -- Periodicals; Sociology, Medical -- Periodicals; Épidémiologie -- Périodiques; Politique sanitaire -- Périodiques; Santé, Services de -- Accessibilité -- Périodiques; Health services accessibility; Health -- Social aspects; Political planning; Public health; Social medicine; Periodicals; 613
• DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2016.03.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1353-8292

Abstract

Abstract: Little is known about how neighborhood crime may relate to health in diabetes patients. We examined associations between individuals' perceptions of neighborhood safety or violent crime and stress, physical activity, body mass index (BMI) or hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in a sample (n=721) of adults (mean age:63) with diabetes. Self-reported neighborhood safety, violent crime, physical activity, and stress were collected and linked to clinical measures of BMI and HbA1c. Approximately 54% and 15% of patients reported neighborhood safety concerns and violent crimes, respectively. Any neighborhood safety concerns (β=1.14, 95% C.I. 0.04–2.24) and violent crime (β=2.04, 95% C.I. 0.34–3.73) were associated with BMI in adjusted analysis. Any violent crime was associated with class II–III obesity (BMI≥35) (OR=1.34, 95% C.I.: 1.02, 1.75). There were no significant associations between neighborhood safety concerns or violent crime with stress, physical activity, or HbA1c. Neighborhood safety is associated with BMI and obesity. Further studies, including longitudinal designs, are needed to study how people with diabetes may be influenced by a sense of poor personal safety in their neighborhoods.