Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 18: Anxiety symptoms among adults with Type 2 diabetes are associated with unhealthy eating behaviours and poorer blood sugar control, according to a recent study conducted in a public hospital setting.
The research found that individuals experiencing higher levels of anxiety were more likely to engage in "grazing" behaviour — a pattern of repetitive food consumption — and record elevated glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, a key indicator of long-term blood glucose control.
The study analysed data from 157 adults aged between 20 and 64 years, with an average age of 54.7 years. Most participants were women and had been living with Type 2 diabetes for an average of 11 years. A majority were receiving insulin therapy and lacked regular nutritional follow-up.
Researchers found that 67.5 per cent of participants were overweight based on body mass index measurements, while nearly 79 per cent were identified as having an increased risk of cardiovascular disease based on neck circumference assessments.
Laboratory evaluations revealed that most participants had fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels above recommended targets, indicating suboptimal diabetes control.
Assessment using the Beck Anxiety Inventory showed that 16.6 per cent of participants experienced moderate anxiety symptoms, while 21.7 per cent reported severe anxiety.
Although most participants displayed minimal anxiety overall, higher anxiety scores were significantly associated with poorer glycaemic control. Researchers observed a positive correlation between anxiety symptoms and glycated haemoglobin levels, suggesting that individuals with greater anxiety were more likely to have elevated blood sugar levels.
The study also found that 42.5 per cent of participants were taking psychotropic medications despite relatively low rates of formally diagnosed psychiatric conditions. Those using such medications recorded significantly higher anxiety symptom scores.
A notable finding was the relationship between anxiety and grazing behaviour. Participants with higher anxiety levels were more likely to engage in repetitive eating patterns, which can complicate efforts to manage diabetes effectively.
Further analysis showed that anxiety remained strongly associated with compulsive grazing behaviour even after accounting for psychotropic medication use, indicating that anxiety itself may independently contribute to unhealthy eating habits.
The researchers concluded that addressing psychological wellbeing could play an important role in improving diabetes management. They noted that integrating mental health support with nutritional and metabolic care may help improve treatment outcomes for people living with Type 2 diabetes.
The study highlights the growing recognition of the link between mental health and chronic disease management, emphasising the need for a more comprehensive approach to diabetes care.