According to a meta-analysis published in Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology last September 25, 2014 revealed that Diabetes risk is higher in people who work long hours a week, with low salaries and low socioeconomic status. Mika Kivimäki, PhD, professor of epidemiology, University College London, United Kingdom said that there is a clear relationship between the two variables.
Statistics show that 29.1 million Americans have Diabetes and 8.1 million of them do not know that they have the illness. Also, in adults 20 years old and older, one out of ten has Diabetes and in 2012, 1.7 new cases were reported.
Diabetes Type II is an illness that is largely preventable. Risk factors include lifestyle choices, increased intake of food rich in fats, carbohydrates and sugar and lack of physical activities. However, stress plays a significant role in developing the disease.
Based on the findings of the study, the higher the socioeconomic status and the lesser time they spend in working, the lower their risk in developing Diabetes. They concluded that low socioeconomic status and working long hours increase their Diabetic risk by 30%.
Though the study did not investigate the main cause of this association, they realized that it can be caused by factors like those who work longer do not have enough time for exercise and they are more exposed to stressful situations like lack of sleep. Consequently, people who have low wages are more prone to stress and hardships while those who have high wages are more relaxed and stress-free.
However, further study is recommended by the researchers to identify the exact cause of this finding. Also, they need to investigate on the underlying mechanisms of why there is a clear relationship between Diabetes risk and nature of work. They recommend proper assessment of Diabetes risk and incorporation of this new knowledge in the innovation of Diabetes treatment.