Abstract

Introduction: The determinants of type 2 diabetes (T2D) are multifaceted, encompassing individual, psychosocial, health, and neighborhood factors. While these factors have been explored, the mechanisms underlying perceived neighborhood measures and T2D remain understudied. We aimed to test whether psychosocial, health, and inflammatory factors mediate the association between perceived neighborhoods and T2D among adults. We hypothesized that these factors mediate the relationship between perceived neighborhoods and T2D. Methods: Data from the Midlife in the United States 3 (MIDUS3, 2013-2014; MUDIS3 Biomarker Project, 2017-2022) were used (n=564, mean age: 60.7y, female:53.2%, White adults:95.7%). Higher perceived neighborhood scores (social cohesion, safety, quality) represent favorable neighborhoods. T2D (y/n) was defined as either A1c≥6.5%, FGL≥126mg/dL or self-reported T2D. Physical activity (PA), BMI, depression, stress, and CRP were tested as mediators in the cross-sectional association between perceived neighborhood measures and T2D using linear regression (reported odds ratio [OR]) with bootstrap-generated 95% bias-correct confidence intervals (BC CIs) adjusted for covariates (Table). Results: Higher neighborhood social cohesion was indirectly related to lower odds of T2D by PA (OR: 0.93 [95%BC CI: 0.86, 0.98]), BMI (OR: 0.90 [0.80, 0.99]), depression (OR: 0.86 [0.75, 0.97]), stress (OR: 0.88 [0.78, 0.97]), and CRP (OR: 0.91 [0.82, 0.98]). Higher neighborhood safety was indirectly related to lower odds of T2D by depression (OR: 0.90 [0.79, 0.98]) and stress (OR: 0.89 [0.77, 0.97]). Higher neighborhood quality was indirectly related to lower odds of T2D by PA (OR: 0.90 [0.82, 0.98]), depression (OR: 0.82 [0.68, 0.96]), stress (OR: 0.83 [0.70, 0.96]), and CRP (OR: 0.88 [0.75, 0.98]). Conclusions: Favorable perception of neighborhoods had significant indirect associations with T2D via PA, BMI, depression, stress, and CRP. These mediators could be potential targets for intervention alongside promoting better neighborhoods to improve T2D outcomes. Future studies should replicate this line of research in diverse cohorts to address T2D disparities by socioeconomic status.