Men who live alone double risk of Type 2 diabetes
- Socially isolated people miss out on emotional and practical support, says study
- Men on their own have 94 per cent higher odds of devloping the condition
- Every one person lost from a man’s social network increases risk by ten per cent
Victoria Allen Science Correspondent For The Daily Mail
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Men who live alone almost double their chances of getting type 2 diabetes.
Socially isolated people miss out on the emotional and practical support which could help them live healthier lives, a study suggests.
Men on their own have 94 per cent higher odds of getting type 2 diabetes, while every lost friend increases their risk by 10 per cent.
The findings show men have fewer social contacts than women, who do not increase their risk of diabetes if they live alone.
Men who live alone almost double their chances of getting type 2 diabetes. Socially isolated people miss out on the emotional and practical support which could help them live healthier lives, a study suggests
This may explain why audits suggest roughly 56 per cent of adult diabetes sufferers are men, while 44 per cent are female.
A study of more than 2,800 people shows a good way to ward off diabetes is to live with others and take part in social activities, from sports to book clubs.
Living within walking distance of friends and family can help too, for both sexes.
Dr Miranda Schram, a co-author of the study from Maastricht University, said: ‘High-risk groups for type 2 diabetes should broaden their network and should be encouraged to make new friends, as well as become members of a club, such as a volunteer organisation, sports club or discussion group.
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‘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 healthcare. In addition, social network size and participation in social activities may eventually be used as indicators of diabetes risk.’
Previous research has shown men without a partner are at greater risk of type 2 diabetes, which is not the case for women.
Experts believe marriage or a relationship can help men live more healthily, as their partner helps to ensure they eat properly and do not drink or smoke too much.
Men on their own have 94 per cent higher odds of getting type 2 diabetes, while every lost friend increases their risk by 10 per cent
However the latest research suggests not just someone’s spouse, but their entire social network, can have an impact on their health.
Take one person away from a man’s social network, the findings show, and their risk of type diabetes rises 10 per cent. The figure is 12 per cent for women.
A lack of emotional support when taking important decisions, less practical support for sickness and less practical support relating to jobs raise the danger of diabetes for both men and women.
More than four million people in Britain are estimated to have type 2 diabetes, which can often be caused by obesity, poor diet and lack of exercise.
Another five million are likely to be at risk of the disease without realising it.
More than four million people in Britain are estimated to have type 2 diabetes, which can often be caused by obesity, poor diet and lack of exercise
Stephanie Brinkhues, lead author of the study published in the journal BMC Health, said: ‘We are 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.’
A lack of participation in clubs or other social groups was linked with 112 per cent higher odds of type 2 diabetes in women compared to those with normal blood sugar readings. In men, lack of social participation was associated with 42 per cent higher odds of type 2 diabetes.
The authors used data on 2861 participants in the Maastricht Study, an observational study of men and women aged 40 to 75 from the Netherlands.
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