It is a well established fact that surroundings of a person influence his personality. The recent study has indicated that healthy neighborhood can help in saving its residents from diabetes up to some extent.

A neighborhood where fresh food is easily available and surroundings are conducive for walk and other physical activities due to presence of protected walkways and parks is termed as healthy neighborhood.

Researchers reached at the findings after analyzing data collected from 2285 adults aged 45 to 84 living in Baltimore, Maryland and Bronx. Data regarding eating habits, physical activity and diabetes propensity was collected along with information regarding their surroundings.

During study period, 233 study subjects developed Type 2 diabetes. A community survey was also done in the areas where study subjects lived to asses the availability of healthy food and places for walk.

Comparison of data indicated that people living in the top 10 percent of healthy neighborhoods had less risk of diabetes as compared to people living in the bottom 10 percent.

Research team led by Amy Auchincloss of Drexel University in Philadelphia, said: "Better neighbourhood resources, determined by a combined score for physical activity and healthy foods, were associated with a 38 percent lower incidence of type 2 diabetes."