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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research article

An ecological analysis of food outlet density and prevalence of type II diabetes in South Carolina counties

Authors: Dana M. AlHasan, Jan Marie Eberth

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Background

Studies suggest that the built environment with high numbers of fast food restaurants and convenience stores and low numbers of super stores and grocery stores are related to obesity, type II diabetes mellitus, and other chronic diseases. Since few studies assess these relationships at the county level, we aim to examine fast food restaurant density, convenience store density, super store density, and grocery store density and prevalence of type II diabetes among counties in South Carolina.

Methods

Pearson’s correlation between four types of food outlet densities- fast food restaurants, convenience stores, super stores, and grocery stores- and prevalence of type II diabetes were computed. The relationship between each of these food outlet densities were mapped with prevalence of type II diabetes, and OLS regression analysis was completed adjusting for county-level rates of obesity, physical inactivity, density of recreation facilities, unemployment, households with no car and limited access to stores, education, and race.

Results

We showed a significant, negative relationship between fast food restaurant density and prevalence of type II diabetes, and a significant, positive relationship between convenience store density and prevalence of type II diabetes. In adjusted analysis, the food outlet densities (of any type) was not associated with prevalence of type II diabetes.

Conclusions

This ecological analysis showed no associations between fast food restaurants, convenience stores, super stores, or grocery stores densities and the prevalence of type II diabetes. Consideration of environmental, social, and cultural determinants, as well as individual behaviors is needed in future research.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
An ecological analysis of food outlet density and prevalence of type II diabetes in South Carolina counties
Authors
Dana M. AlHasan
Jan Marie Eberth
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-015-2681-6

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