Social Isolation Might Raise Diabetes Risk: Study

Social isolation might raise diabetes risk: Study

Men and women who are not active socially and remain isolated may be at an increased risk of developing diabetes than individuals with larger social networks, a study has found

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Dec, 2017 ) :Men and women who are not active socially and remain isolated may be at an increased risk of developing diabetes than individuals with larger social networks, a study has found.

The study published in the journal BMC Public Health said the team involved 2,861 men and women aged 40 to 75 years. The findings showed that a lack of social participation was associated with 60 per cent higher odds of pre-diabetes and 112 per cent higher odds of Type 2 diabetes in women compared to those with normal glucose metabolism, Health news reported.

Men who lack social participation in clubs and groups had a 42 per cent higher risk of Type 2 diabetes, while those living alone had 94 per cent higher risk. "The study is the first to determine the association of a broad range of social network characteristics -- such as social support, network size or type of relationships -- with different stages of Type 2 diabetes," said lead author Stephanie Brinkhues, from the Maastricht University Medical Centre, in the Netherlands.

"As men living alone seem to be at a higher risk for the development of type 2 diabetes, they should become recognised as a high risk group in health care. Social network size and participation in social activities may eventually be used as indicators of diabetes risk," co-author Miranda Schram, from the varsity added.

Early changes in glucose metabolism may cause non-specific complaints such as tiredness and feeling unwell, which may explain why individuals limit their social participation. Promoting social integration and participation may be a promising target in prevention strategies for type 2 diabetes, the researchers suggested.