Social isolation might raise diabetes risk


London, Dec 19 (IANS): 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 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.

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," added co-author Miranda Schram, from the varsity.

For the study, published in the journal BMC Public Health, the team involved 2,861 men and women aged 40 to 75 years.

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.

"Our findings support the idea that resolving social isolation may help prevent the development of Type 2 diabetes," Brinkhues added.

  

Top Stories

Comment on this article

  • Max and Jessie Rasquinha, Mangalore, Houston/Dallas, texas

    Wed, Dec 20 2017

    How rightly pointed out that "Social Isolation" can be one of the causes that will enhance the risk of diabetes and cause additional consequences in creating other daily inconveniences and costs for any individual or families.

    Active involvement in "Social Interaction" has multiple advantages in our daily life that can keep us actively motivated with various societal involvements that will help us to associate with many others and get influenced with better methods of life. Each of us have our own talents and abilities that should encourage us to avoid any kind of "social isolation" . By our active association with many others in the society we become aware of many positive aspects of life that will educate us more with so many new opportunities in life.

    Social Interaction will allow us to communicate with others and share all our thoughts and abilities for the betterment of mankind. "Isolation" is not a word that will boost our enthusiasm for interacting with many others in the Society and share all our knowledge and understanding.

    When the mind and body is occupied with positive and creative ideas, we learn how to utilize our precious gift of "TIME" for the good of everyone, including ourselves. Being active in mind and body is part of the exercise that will keep us happy and satisfied. We eat less and think more and keep us happy in our daily pursuit of life.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse


Leave a Comment

Title: Social isolation might raise diabetes risk



You have 2000 characters left.

Disclaimer:

Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.