Neighborhood walkability, deprivation and incidence of type 2 diabetes: A population-based study on 512, 061 Swedish adults. (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sundquist, Kristina; Eriksson, Ulf; Mezuk, Briana; Ohlsson, Henrik
• Is Part Of: Health & place. Volume 31(2015:Jan.)
• Page Start: 24
• Page End: 30
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: Diabetes mellitus -- Epidemiology -- Geographic information systems -- Neighborhood deprivation -- Walkability; 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.2014.10.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1353-8292

Abstract

Abstract: Neighborhood walkability has been associated with increased physical activity, but only a few studies have explored the association between walkability and health outcomes related to physical activity, such as type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between objectively assessed neighborhood walkability and the 4-year incidence of type 2 diabetes in a sample of 512, 061 Swedish adults aged 18 years and older. Neighborhoods were defined by 408 administratively defined geographical areas in the city of Stockholm. We found a negative association between walkability and type 2 diabetes (OR=1.33, 95% CI=1.13–1.55) that remained significant after adjusting for neighborhood deprivation. This association, however, no longer remained statistically significant after adjusting for individual socio-demographic factors. These results were also confirmed using a co-sibling design. Future studies are encouraged to further explore the potential effect of a broader array of the neighborhood built environment on health outcomes related to physical activity. Highlights: Objective assessments of walkability and incidence of type 2 diabetes. A total of 512, 061 adults were included in the analyses. The association between walkability and type 2 diabetes was negative in the crude models. Adjustment for individual socio-demographic factors diminished this association. Sibling analyses confirmed the results.