Research Proves Loneliness Is Linked to a Higher Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

Illustration of the risk of loneliness in health, especially type 2 diabetes (Freepik/Rawpixel.com)

YOGYAKARTA – Social life gives a certain sensation to one's feelings. When you feel lonely, according to research, you need to be careful. Because according to research conducted over 20 years, tracing the effects of loneliness on the risk of experiencing physical health, especially type 2 diabetes.

4.9 percent of participants in the study developed type 2 diabetes during the study. About 13 percent of the participants reported experiencing loneliness. Researchers from the Western Norway University of Applied Science have found that loneliness is linked to a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The research, published in Diabetologia, was conducted by Roger E. Henriksen, professor at the Institute of Nursing of Applied Sciences. The research conducted by Professor Henriksen departs from the basic social theory.

"On a neurological level, the brain actually expects to be with people you trust," explains Henriksen.

In a 2014 study by Henriksen, he wrote that relative social isolation leads to an increase in sugar intake. Another 2017 study also showed that stress is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. From that study, Henriksen wanted to see if increased levels of sugar intake by people who were not socially connected translated to people who faced higher rates of type diabetes. 2.

Illustration of the risk of loneliness on health, especially type 2 diabetes (Freepik/teksomolika)

The examination was carried out on more than 230.000 participants since 1984 by reporting blood samples. Three surveys within the study population, were conducted between 1995-1997, 2006-2008, and 2017-2019. Henrikse and co-authors of the study excluded participants who had type 1 and type 2 diabetes and who had metabolic disorders between 1995 and 1997. Other participants were excluded because data were missing. In the end, more than 24.000 participants were included in the study's analysis.

According to the report, 1.179 of the 24.024 participants, or 4.9 percent, developed type 2 diabetes between 1995-1997 and 2017-2019. Participants who developed type 2 diabetes were more likely to be men between the ages of 48 and 43.

Based on the findings, researchers explain that theoretically, loneliness can activate the body's physiological stress response. This condition leads to changes in the body's cardiovascular system and the production of cortisol, also known as the stress hormone.

“In turn, it can lead to an increase in food intake, specifically carbohydrate intake, an increase in insulin resistance. These processes play an important role in supplying an active and demanding metabolic brain with sufficient glucose,” the researchers wrote.

Andrea Paul, physician and medical adviser at Illuminate Labs stresses that the association between feelings of loneliness and type 2 diabetes does not indicate a causal relationship. She added, it is more likely that people who are very lonely are also not too focused on maintaining their health. Hence, not following a healthy diet, not exercising, and insomnia that increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.