Abstract
Background: It has been shown that the socio-geographical environment of residential areas, such as altitude, affects the health status and health-maintenance behavior of residents. Here, we examined a hypothesis that altitude of residence would influence glycemic control in a general elderly population living in a rural area. Methods: A thousand and sixteen participants living in a mountainous region in Japan were recruited at health examinations. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was measured in serum as a parameter of glycemic control. The altitude of residence, distance to grocery stores and to medical facilities were estimated using a geographic information system. Results: Linear regression analysis confirmed a significant effect of the altitude on log HbA1c even after adjustment of other demographic and biochemical factors. When the distance to grocery stores or medical facilities were used instead of the altitude in a linear regression analysis, distance to secondary medical facilities alone showed a significant effect on HbA1c. Conclusions: We found a positive correlation between HbA1c level and residential altitude in a rural area of Japan. The altitude seemed to be a parameter substituting the inconvenicence of residential areas. Socio-geographical factors of living place, such as inconvenience, may influence glycemic control of the residents.
Highlights
The number of diabetic patients has been increasing rapidly due to changes in lifestyle and social circumstances in Japan as well as in the world [1,2]
In addition to such classical risk factors, socio-geographical factors have been focused as a potential risk factor for obesity and/or diabetes [7]; previous studies showed that residents in an area with “health-harming” food outlets had higher odds of developing diabetes and obesity [8,9], and a higher level of walkability was associated with a lower risk of diabetes [10]
To examine the hypothesis above, the objective of this study was to clarify the relationship between the altitude of a residential area and individual Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)
Summary
The number of diabetic patients has been increasing rapidly due to changes in lifestyle and social circumstances in Japan as well as in the world [1,2]. In terms of risk factors for diabetes and obesity, intense studies have been performed on genetic factors, individual lifestyle such as exercise and eating habits [6] In addition to such classical risk factors, socio-geographical factors have been focused as a potential risk factor for obesity and/or diabetes [7]; previous studies showed that residents in an area with “health-harming” food outlets had higher odds of developing diabetes and obesity [8,9], and a higher level of walkability was associated with a lower risk of diabetes [10]. The altitude of residence, distance to grocery stores and to medical facilities were estimated using a geographic information system
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