Yes. Adults who reported feeling lonely had twice the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life, a new study shows. The risk ran higher still with insomnia or depression. Loneliness now sits beside poor diet, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle as a diabetes driver. That matters for anyone weighing diabetic neuropathy treatment.
Poor food choices, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle are well-known top risk factors for diabetes. But a new study shows that even loneliness may significantly raise type 2 diabetes risk. Loneliness could raise diabetes risk in many ways. It is tied to a higher risk of depression, sleep disorders, and unhealthy habits like binge eating.
The rise of chronic illnesses like diabetes has long puzzled researchers. They know lifestyle factors like diet and sitting too much are major drivers of type 2 diabetes. But they also know there is more to it. Most people with type 2 diabetes are obese or inactive, but not all. Diabetes also shows up in people with a fairly balanced lifestyle. So researchers think other factors may also raise diabetes risk. These include stress, mood disorders, sleep problems, and things in the environment.
Now a new study shows that feeling lonely is tied to a much greater diabetes risk. These findings stand out because loneliness is not a disease, unlike anxiety or depression. It is simply a state of mind that comes with more distress. The study was done in Norway. Researchers used data from the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT study). It followed 24,024 people over time. The first survey collected information about loneliness (HUNT2 survey, 1995–1997), and the second registered HbA1c levels (HUNT4 survey, 2017–2019).
People who reported feeling lonely had twice the risk of getting diabetes later in life. Over the 20-year follow-up, 4.9% of adults who felt lonely developed type 2 diabetes. The risk was even higher in people with insomnia or depression. The finding that loneliness may double type 2 diabetes risk is surprising. Science already knew loneliness feeds other health problems, like mental health disorders. But researchers did not expect feeling lonely to raise diabetes risk.
Science has long known that time with other people is good for us. That is why humans are called social animals. People who live lonely lives face more mental health problems, like depression. Loneliness could raise diabetes risk in many ways. People who socialize less also tend to move less, and they may binge eat. They are more likely to have unhealthy habits, substance use disorders, and more.
Lonely people also seem to have higher stress hormone levels. That may be another path to insulin resistance. Higher cortisol levels are known to go with higher diabetes risk. These new findings raise many questions. We still need to find the exact way loneliness may raise diabetes risk.
So if you have prediabetes or a family history of diabetes, there is a good chance you also socialize less. Some habits often run in families. There is no doubt that people can significantly cut their diabetes risk by losing weight. Just about a couple of hours of moderate exercise and dropping body weight by about 7% can cut type 2 diabetes risk by almost half.
Now a study shows you can even cut diabetes risk by seeing family and friends more often. Even spending weekends with friends may lower it. Other ways to connect, like calling friends and family more often, may also ease loneliness and lower diabetes risk.
Frequently asked questions
How does loneliness raise diabetes risk?
The exact mechanism is still unknown, but several paths are likely. Lonely people are more prone to depression and sleep disorders. They tend to move less. They are more likely to binge eat and pick up other unhealthy habits, including substance use. They also seem to have higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which is linked to insulin resistance and a higher diabetes risk.
What happens if you are lonely for too long?
Long-term loneliness is a state of higher distress. It raises the risk of mental health problems such as depression. A Norwegian study followed 24,024 adults for about 20 years. People who reported feeling lonely had twice the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The risk was higher still in those with insomnia or depression.
Is loneliness a disease like depression?
No. Unlike anxiety or depression, loneliness is not a disease. It is a mental state linked to higher distress. That is what made the finding surprising: a feeling, not a diagnosis, was tied to twice the risk of type 2 diabetes. Science already knew loneliness raises the risk of mental health disorders. It did not know loneliness could raise diabetes risk.
How can I lower my diabetes risk if I feel lonely?
Weight loss and exercise remain the strongest tools. About a couple of hours of moderate exercise and losing about 7% of body weight can cut type 2 diabetes risk almost in half. Beyond that, spend more time with people. See family and friends more often, spend weekends with friends, and call loved ones. That can ease loneliness and may lower diabetes risk.
Dr. Gurpreet Singh Padda, MD, MBA, MHP
