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The risk of developing diabetes depends on the area in which you live
Last reviewed: 20.11.2021
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If you live in an area favorable for hiking, this has a positive effect on your health, in particular, reduces the risk of developing diabetes.
As the team of scientists from St. Michael's Hospital and the Institute for Clinical Evaluation Sciences found out, in particular immigrants who live in the outskirts, in remote and undeveloped areas, are at such risk. For such areas are characterized by poorly developed and less equipped streets and a small population density.
In comparison with the indigenous people, who live mainly in the areas of well-off and well-developed housing infrastructure, about 50% of newcomers have a tendency to develop diabetes.
"Despite the fact that one of the methods of preventing this disease is physical activity, we found out that the habitat and everything that surrounds the person is an important indicator for determining the risk," says Dr. Gillian Booth, an endocrinologist and researcher at St. Michael's Hospital.
As previous studies show, for immigrants, the environment is one of the most important factors that can accelerate the risk of developing a person's diabetes and other obesity-related diseases.
These conclusions scientists made on the basis of 10-year observations of visitors who immigrated to Canada.
Such a threat arises in the migrants who moved from the village to the city. Due to lack of physical activity and the use of unhealthy foods, the risk of developing diabetes and gaining excess weight is increased.
To identify the most favorable areas, scientists took into account such indicators as the location of shops, population density, the presence of pedestrian areas and the structure of streets.
According to experts, the areas where the least number of pedestrian zones, partly more equipped for cars, usually are suburban areas, formed due to spontaneous growth of cities at the expense of rural areas.
"Unfortunately, in today's world, where progress is rapidly moving forward, people have stopped walking even for short distances. And when building areas, the emphasis is often not on pedestrian areas and on the convenient structure of streets in general. We must set other priorities - first pedestrians, then cyclists and, last but not least, cars, "says Dr. Booth.
Researchers emphasize that urban infrastructure is not the last significance for public health.