Is a Hilly Neighborhood Environment Associated with Diabetes Mellitus among Older People? Results from the JAGES 2010 Study

Citation

Fujiwara, Takeo; Takamoto, Iseki; Amemiya, Airi; Hanazato, Masamichi; Suzuki, Norimichi; Nagamine, Yuiko; Sasaki, Yuri; Tani, Yukako; Yazawa, Aki; & Inoue, Yosuke, et al. (2017). Is a Hilly Neighborhood Environment Associated with Diabetes Mellitus among Older People? Results from the JAGES 2010 Study. Social Science & Medicine, 182, 45-51.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although living in a hilly environment may promote muscular activity in the daily lives of residents, and such activity may prevent diabetes mellitus, few studies have focused on the impact of living in a hilly environment on diabetes mellitus. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of a hilly neighborhood environment on DM in older people.
METHODS: We used data from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study, a population-based, cross-sectional study of individuals aged 65 or older without long-term care needs in Japan, which was conducted in 2010. A total of 8904 participants in 46 neighborhoods had responded to the questionnaire and undergone a health check. Diabetes mellitus was diagnosed as HbA1c >/= 6.5% and those undergoing treatment for diabetes mellitus. Poorly controlled diabetes mellitus was diagnosed in those without other chronic diseases who had an HbA1c > 7.5%, and in those with other chronic diseases if their HbA1c was >8.0%. Neighborhood environment was evaluated based on the percentage of positive responses in the questionnaire and geographical information system data. A multilevel analysis was performed, adjusted for individual-level risk factors. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis was conducted for those who were undergoing treatment for diabetes mellitus (n = 1007).
RESULTS: After adjustment for other physical environmental and individual covariates, a 1 interquartile range increase (1.48 degrees ) in slope in the neighborhood decreased the risk of poorly controlled diabetes mellitus by 18% (odds ratio [OR]: 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.70-0.97). Sensitivity analysis confirmed that larger slopes in the neighborhood showed a significant protective effect against diabetes mellitus among those who were undergoing treatment for diabetes mellitus (OR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.59-0.90).
CONCLUSION: A hilly neighborhood environment was not associated with diabetes mellitus, but was protective against poorly controlled diabetes mellitus.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.04.008.

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year Published

2017

Journal Title

Social Science & Medicine

Author(s)

Fujiwara, Takeo
Takamoto, Iseki
Amemiya, Airi
Hanazato, Masamichi
Suzuki, Norimichi
Nagamine, Yuiko
Sasaki, Yuri
Tani, Yukako
Yazawa, Aki
Inoue, Yosuke
Shirai, Kokoro
Shobugawa, Yugo
Kondo, Naoki
Kondo, Katsunori