259317 Association between neighborhood walkability, type 2 diabetes, and socioeconomic status in residents of eight Ohio counties

Tuesday, October 30, 2012 : 1:50 PM - 2:10 PM

Dawn Ebron, MS, MPH , Center for Global Health Systems, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Wright State University, Beavercreek, OH
Naila Khalil, PhD , Center for Global Health Systems, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Wright State University, Kettering, OH
William Spears, PhD , Center for Global Health Systems, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, OH
     
Regular physical activity is beneficial in preventing type 2 diabetes. Walking, either for recreation or for destination travel, is an inexpensive way to meet physical activity guidelines. Disadvantaged populations with low socioeconomic status (SES) have a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes and are more likely to live in unwalkable neighborhoods. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between SES and neighborhood walkability in eight Ohio counties with highest prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the state. Using data from the 2010 Ohio Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey and walk scores from iPad Walk ScoreTM application, multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the influence of walk score on diabetes prevalence in 5,447 participants (males: 52.4%, females: 47.6%). A Chi-squared test was used to analyze the association between diabetes status and SES. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to assess association between walk scores income level, and metropolitan statistical area (MSA). An additional walkability score was calculated using a modified version of the Systematic Pedestrian and Cycling Environmental Scan (SPACES) audit instrument. Walk ScoreTM and the SPACES score were compared using Spearman's correlation coefficient. In a multivariate analysis, walk score was not significantly related to diabetes (p = 0.49). Diabetes prevalence was almost twice as high in low SES populations (p > 0.001), and average walk score was highest in the center of the city of a MSA in low SES (p < 0.001). Walkability assessed via SPACES audit was correlated to Walk ScoreTM for destination (p = 0.04), but was not correlated with walking for recreation (p = 0.424). When considering the relationship between SES, neighborhood walkability, and diabetes; the results were varied. Future research should assess walkability using a combination of perceived and objective measures of the built environment.

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the relationship between Type 2 diabetes, neighborhood walkablity, and socioeconomic status. 2. Describe the virtual audit method of assessing walkability using the Systematic Pedestrian and Cycling Environmental Scan (SPACES) audit instrument. 3. Compare neighborhood walkablity as assessed by the iPad Walk ScoreTM application and the Systematic Pedestrian and Cycling Environmental Scan (SPACES) audit instrument.

Keywords: Diabetes, Environment

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a recent graduate of Wright State University's Masters of Public Health program. My research assessing the association between neighborhood walkability, diabetes, and socioeconomic status was conducted as a culminating project for my MPH program. This research was an extension of a community assessment I conducted evaluating the impact of urban sprawl on neighborhood walkability. This abstract was accepted for poster presentation at the ISEE conference in 2011.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4207.0: Research and tools for assessing built-environment factors contributing to neighborhood health