Diabetes Risk Lowered By Active Social Life

Socially isolated individuals have a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes, but which elements of isolationism play a role in this association are unclear.

For their study, researchers examined data on 2861 participants in the Maastricht Study, a population-based cohort study, 28.8% of whom had type 2 diabetes. They assessed social network characteristics and diabetes status using a name generator questionnaire and oral glucose tolerance tests.
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Overall, they found that more isolated individuals were more frequently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. In women, newly diagnosed and previously diagnosed diabetes were associated with proximity and the type of relationship, while a lack of social participation was associated with prediabetes in women and previously diagnosed diabetes in men and women. Less emotional support, practical support related to jobs, and practical support related to sickness were associated with diabetes diagnoses in men and women.

“This study shows that several aspects of structural and functional characteristics of the social network were associated with newly and previously diagnosed type 2 diabetes, partially different for men and women. These results may provide useful targets for type 2 diabetes prevention efforts.”

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Brinkhues S, Dukers-Muijrers NHTM, Hoebe CJPA, et al. Socially isolated individuals are more prone to have newly diagnosed and prevalent type 2 diabetes mellitus - the Maastricht study [published online December 19, 2017]. BMC Public Health. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-4948-6.