Research
Adherence
Urbanization and immigration into high-calorie, low-activity environments significantly increase the prevalence of obesity and diabetes, with risk increasing the longer one resides in the new environment.
Moving to a city or changing lifestyle often triggers weight gain due to easier access to cheap, high-calorie food and less physical activity. Mitigate this by actively seeking out healthy food sources and safe exercise spaces, and engage with community health initiatives.
GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
The prevalence of diabetes increases about 20 years after immigration in multiple ethnic groups entering more high-calorie, low-activity environments.
Why this rating
Supported by epidemiologic data from multiple ethnic groups and regions (UK, US, India, Brazil).
Source
Obesity and Diabetes in Vulnerable Populations: Reflection on Proximal and Distal Causes
Lucy M. Candib · The Annals of Family Medicine · 2007
DOI 10.1370/afm.754
narrative_reviewCited 174×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- Fetal malnutrition (low birth weight) combined with postnatal caloric abundance causes irreversible metabolic programming (thrifty phenotype) that predisposes individuals to insulin resistance and obesity in adulthood.Good
- Globalization and economic policies favoring cheap fats, sugars, and fast food create an 'obesogenic environment' that drives obesity and diabetes rates, particularly among low-income populations.Moderate
Related findings · Adherence
- Regular physical activity (at least 150 minutes/week of moderate-intensity) reduces all-cause and cardiovascular mortality by 20-30% and lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes by 25-35%.Strong
- Increasing physical activity from a sedentary lifestyle to an active one in middle adulthood significantly reduces the risk of coronary events compared to remaining sedentary.Strong
- Resistance exercise is the only intervention capable of consistently restoring muscle function and strength in sarcopenia, partially overcoming age-related anabolic resistance.Strong
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