Work more than 55 hours a week? You’re at higher risk of type-2 diabetes

A new study published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology revealed that those who work for more than 55 hours in a week have a greater chance to develop type-2 diabetes compared to their counte

By: Editorial Team | | Updated: October 7, 2014 5:25 pm

A new study published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology revealed that those who work for more than 55 hours in a week have a greater chance to develop type-2 diabetes compared to their counterparts who spend 35 to 40 hours working in a week. Also Read - Diabetes: Beneficial gut bacteria can play a key role in treating the condition

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For reaching the conclusion, researchers at University College London conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies and unpublished individual-level data to analyse the effects of long working hours on development of type 2 diabetes up to 30 April 2014. Also Read - Two amazing diabetes breakthroughs of 2020

The results revealed that those with low socioeconomic status jobs, working 55 hours or more per week had a roughly 30 percent increased chance of developing diabetes compared to their counterparts who worked between 35 and 40 hours a week. The study took into account health behaviours such as smoking and physical activity and other risk factors like age, sex and obesity.

Results showed that the association remains strong even after excluding shift work, which has been shown to increase the risk of obesity and developing type-2 diabetes. Researcher Mika Kivimaki said that the pooling of all available studies on this topic allowed them to investigate the association between working hours and diabetes risk with greater precision than has been previously possible.

Kivimaki added that although working long hours is unlikely to increase diabetes risk in everyone, health professionals should be aware that it is associated with a significantly increased risk in people doing low socioeconomic status jobs.

Here are some tips to live well with Type 2 Diabetes

Eat regular meals. Have at least three meals at about the same time everyday. Eating every four to five hours can help control blood sugar. Always carry with you some type of carbohydrate food or drink that has 10 to 15 grams of carbohydrate which you can use in case of emergency (low glucose level).
Eat a variety of foods. Choose foods that fulfill your body’s nutritional needs. Eat less fat, less sugar and less salt. Avoid fried foods. Baked, boiled or steamed foods are healthier to eat. Avoid red meat. Have low fat dairy products. Eat more high-fiber foods, like vegetables, fruit and whole grain breads and cereals.
Monitor your blood glucose two to four times every day with a blood glucose meter, if your doctor has advised you to. It is an electronic device for measuring the blood glucose at home. The blood glucose test is performed by pricking your finger with a small, sharp needle (lancet), putting a drop of blood on a chemically active disposable test strip and then placing the strip into a digital meter that displays your blood sugar level. Within a few seconds, the blood glucose level will be shown on the digital display. Read more about Tips to live well with Type 2 Diabetes

With inputs from ANI

Photo source: Getty images

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Published : September 25, 2014 1:35 pm | Updated:October 7, 2014 5:25 pm

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