New Toronto Study Finds Strong Link Between Walkability and Diabetes

“The way we structure and build our cities will play an increasingly greater role in shaping the health of the world's population.”

Image via Flickr user uneasylies

It seems intuitive that living in a neighbourhood with a variety of destinations within walking distance would lead to better physical health, surprisingly, however, the scientific evidence to prove that fact has been a long time coming. Now, in a recently released study, researchers from Toronto’s St Michael’s Hospital and the Institute for Clinical Evaluation Sciences found that there is, in fact, a strong link between the walkability of a person’s neighbourhood and the likelihood that they will develop a diabetes condition.

The five-year study, conducted from 2005 to 2010, followed 1,239,262 Toronto residents – 214,882 of whom were immigrants – and at the end of the study, the team found that 48,544 people had developed some form of diabetes. The researchers then looked for a correlation between the walkability of a person’s neighbourhood and the incidence rate of diabetes. Due to the many complex factors that affect public health, it’s impossible to definitively prove that a casual relationship between walkability and diabetes exists. Nonetheless, the team behind the research thinks that its a strong factor, and found some compelling evidence to back up their claims.  

Using the postal code of those involved in the study, and their own walkability index that took into account population and dwelling density, street connectivity, and the availability of nearby retail and service destinations, the also team found that a recent immigrant living in one of Toronto’s less walkable neighbourhoods is 50 per cent more likely to develop diabetes than their long-term neighbour living in a walkable neighbourhood.

Of their findings the team writes, “the rise in diabetes seems to be intricately linked to shifts in urbanization,” going on to say, “the way we structure and build our cities will play an increasingly greater role in shaping the health of the world’s population.” One hopes that the team’s research will help reinforce the need for better practices in how we plan our cities.  

In the meantime, using an online resource called Walkscore, it’s easy to find out if the neighbourhood you currently reside in or plan to move into is walker friendly. [Atlantic Cities] 

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Igor Bonifacic is a simple intern working for the Toronto Standard. You can follow him on twitter at @igorbonifacic.