Explore the spatial relationship between Type 2 diabetes and the Accessibility of Fast Food Stores and Greenspace

Abstract

Many studies have found the close relationship between Type 2 diabetes, people’s eating habits and the habits of doing physical activities. In Scotland, based on the background of the big cover of greenspace and the high frequency of eating outside for the local people, this research aims to investigate the potential association between the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes and the accessibility of fast food stores and greenspace, with the considering of the local demographics and the local deprivation level as well. Furthermore, since the social relationships are varying geographically based on the differences in the characteristics of geographic areas, the spatial variation in the relationships between Type 2 diabetes and other factors needs to be explored, and in this study, the model used is the geographically weighted regression. As a result, the relationships between the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes and the accessibility of the fast food stores and greenspace are not found. In contrast, the incidence of this disease is tested positively related with people’s deprivation level and the proportion of middle-aged and the elderly, and these associations are week in the city centre, but stronger in some peripheral areas. Overall, although there are some limitations which can affect the result, this research has generally found the spatial pattern of Type 2 diabetes and the spatial association between it and other factors, which reveals some findings which can be beneficial for the society and the prevention of Type 2 diabetes.