Abstract
The existing literature on Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) predictors has been highly focused on developed countries. In contrast, developing countries encounter different circumstances that include the double burden of disease, socio-cultural differences and environmental exposures. These different circumstances bring about differential effects to the risks of developing T2D. Therefore, this study investigates the relationship between behavioural and neighbourhood predictors on T2D in developing countries, while adjusting for socio-demographic predictors. Behavioural predictors include alcohol consumption, smoking, food intake and exercise levels while neighbourhood predictors include urbanisation, food and natural environment. The above-mentioned predictors were collected from the household surveys and geospatial repository from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) Program, which were then assessed through a multivariable logistic regression model. The results showed that the predictors that favour trends of urbanisation tend to have detrimental risks towards T2D. This includes living in more urbanised areas of cities, higher accessibility towards transport networks, and behavioural attributes such as alcohol consumption, smoking, unhealthy food intake, and sedentary lifestyles. In contrast, the existence of natural green spaces amidst trends of urbanisation showed reduced effects on T2D. This study aims to advise the local policy-makers, public health professionals, and international non-governmental organisations to carefully plan for urbanisation functions in developing countries through a thorough understanding of the behavioural and neighbourhood predictors’ effects on T2D.