Study finds bigger life stresses for severely obese people with type 2 diabetes
New survey findings examining the emotional well-being of severely obese Australians with type 2 diabetes are revealed in Mental Health Week (6–12 October).
The study found that severely obese people living with type 2 diabetes have cumulative stressors related to health, disability, demographic and socioeconomic factors and that this is associated with moderate-severe depression.
A link was found between depression, but not anxiety, and increased body mass index (BMI), with younger women at the greatest risk.
Women also predominated in the largest obesity classification (BMI of 45 and over) where there were associations of low levels of paid work and household income and high levels of unemployment and dependence on disability pensions.
The severely obese group was most likely to be single, living alone and less likely to have had formal education after leaving school.
The Australian Centre for Behavioural Research in Diabetes Director Prof Jane Speight said that type 2 diabetes makes up around 90 per cent of the 1.5 million Australians currently living with diabetes. “We don’t know exactly what causes type 2 diabetes but we have known for some time that socioeconomic and lifestyle factors are often implicated.”
“What this study adds is recognition that this particular group faces cumulative life stressors that are contributing to the multi-comorbidity of obesity, diabetes, and depression. This highlights the need to adequately assess and address the physical, social and psychological issues.”
Lead author of the study, Prof John Dixon (Head of Clinical Obesity Research, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute) said “A cycle of failure and frustration is experienced by those living with severe obesity and their therapists alike, as a result of compounding issues. This is extremely challenging and requires an integrated approach to healthcare planning.”
The aims of the study were to provide insights into the overall condition of people with comorbid type 2 diabetes and severe obesity, to identify those at greatest risk of emotional distress and provide evidence to inform more focused, realistic and appropriate chronic disease management plans, with the ultimate goal of improving health and well-being in this group. The severely obese group reported in this study had a BMI ≥35 and constituted 530 (30 per cent) of the study respondents with type 2 diabetes.
The study findings were published in international journal Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice.
Diabetes MILES (Management and Impact for Long-term Empowerment and Success) – Australia was a national survey of Australian adults (aged between 18 and 70 years) living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The survey was conducted by post and online in July 2011. Responses from 3338 people were included in the inaugural MILES report.
The ACBRD is a partnership for better health between Diabetes Australia – Vic and Deakin University. Diabetes Australia – Vic is the leading charity and peak consumer body working to reduce the impact of diabetes.
Reference:
Dixon JB, Browne JL, Lambert GW, Jones KM, Reddy P, Pouwer F, Speight J (2013). Severely obese people with diabetes experience impaired emotional well-being associated with socioeconomic disadvantage. Results from Diabetes MILES – Australia. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 101(2): 131-140.
For more information:
Lyn Curtis 0411 091 924, , Ali Hickerson 0455 043 324,