HHS HealthBeat (April 30, 2009)

Belly fat, stress hormones and diabetes

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

People with more belly fat have a higher risk of developing diabetes. But a study at Duke University Medical Center indicates stress may also contribute.

Researcher Richard Surwit measured levels of the stress hormone epinephrine when African-American women recalled stressful situations. He also measured blood sugar levels – known as blood glucose – which can indicate the risk of diabetes. And he recorded the amount of belly fat. 

[Richard Surwit speaks] "People with the high belly fat and the high epinephrine levels, fasting glucose was the highest – so they were at the highest risk for developing diabetes." 

Surwit can’t say if stress reduction reduces risk of diabetes, but he says diet and exercise can.

The study for a meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: April, 30 2009