High number of fast-food restaurants contributing to increasing rate of diabetes in Mississauga

The proliferation of fast-food restaurants and fewer opportunities to exercise are among the reasons why Mississauga residents have a higher rate of type 2 diabetes compared to other parts of Ontario.

That is according to the City of Mississauga which has announced a new strategy meant to reduce the risk factors associated with diabetes.

Diabetes is a serious medical condition that affects the way the body regulates and uses sugar as a fuel. This long-term (chronic) condition results in too much sugar circulating in the bloodstream. It can lead to heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, blindness and amputations.

“The prevalence rates of type 2 diabetes in most neighbourhoods in Mississauga ranges from 13 to 16.9 per cent. These rates are significantly higher than the Ontario average of 9.8 per cent,” according to information supplied by the City of Mississauga.

Recent health data shows that about 53.6 per cent of Peel residents are overweight or obese, which is the single-biggest modifiable risk factor for developing Type 2 diabetes. Additionally, 51.3 per cent of adults in Peel identify as Asian, South Asian, Arab, black, Hispanic or Indigenous peoples, groups that are at increased risk of getting Type 2 diabetes. 

According to the city, areas of high prevalence of diabetes in Mississauga appear to generally align with areas that are considered more at risk to climate change impacts, social vulnerability, lower walkability, access to green space, transit, higher proportion of fast food restaurants, core housing needs and poor air quality.

“This means that specific areas of Mississauga carry a higher burden of diabetes along with other risk factors that contribute to the challenge of healthy living. This is not health equity,” according to the strategy report outlined by the city.

Called the Healthy City Strategy, the new initiative will put more emphasis on healthy options when city staff and decision-makers plan, develop and implement future programs, policies, initiatives and infrastructure. It will focus on active living and education through collaborations with researchers, community, organizations, business, agencies and other levels of government.

“Diabetes is a growing concern in Mississauga,” said Mayor Carolyn Parrish. “The city can’t address all health issues alone, and this plan allows us to seek integrated solutions with support from businesses, organizations and other government levels.”