Study suggests Better neighborhood to lower obesity & diabetes risk

As per recent study, neighborhood and risk of obesity & diabetes are connected with each other. Women who are living in poor neighborhoods are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and to be obese compared to women who live in more advantaged areas. The study findings are published in “New England Journal of Medicine” in October 20 issue. The study involved 4,498 women with children from five major U.S. cities. All these women and children are from high-poverty areas. This study was known as “Moving to Opportunity”.

From 4,498 women and children, 1,788 were provided housing vouchers which were good in neighborhoods where the poverty level was below 10%, 1,312 women and children received vouchers which were good at anyplace and other 1,398 were given no vouchers and counseling. The first 2 groups were also given counseling on moving. The researchers measured height, weight and blood sugar for diabetes, after 10-15 years.

The study found, 14.4% women who were given voucher to move to better neighborhoods were extremely obese compared to 17.7% women who did not provided voucher. 16.3% women who received voucher to move had diabetes compared to 20% of women who were not given vouchers. Women who were given vouchers to live at anyplace have same score like women who didn’t receive a voucher.