Loneliness can dampen physical activity and steer people toward unhealthy eating patterns, factors that raise the risk of developing diabetes. This link was explored by researchers at the US National Institute on Aging, with results shared in the journal Nutrients. The study adds to a growing body of evidence that social and emotional well-being plays a meaningful role in metabolic health across North America, including Canada and the United States.
The study enrolled 1,713 American adults aged 33 to 77 to investigate whether shifts in mood and social connection might act as a risk factor for diabetes. Participants provided information about their health, income, and dietary habits and completed surveys measuring perceived loneliness. About 14% reported frequent unhappiness due to not having a life partner, while 8% described feeling largely detached from the wider community. These numbers underscore how loneliness can touch people from different backgrounds and life stages.
When it came to weight categories, 24% were normal weight, 26% were overweight, and 51% fell into obesity. Skin tone emerged as a variable in the analysis: lighter-skinned participants showed higher rates of prediabetes, whereas darker-skinned participants had higher rates of diabetes. The researchers also observed that light-skinned individuals were more likely to report feelings of abandonment than African American participants. These distinctions remind readers that diabetes risk is shaped by a mix of biology, social context, and lived experience.
A key finding was that longer and stronger experiences of loneliness correlated with a tendency to choose less healthy foods. The overall pattern among participants leaned toward processed items such as sweets and fast foods, with relatively small intakes of fruits and vegetables. In addition, individuals who felt isolated from others tended to lead more sedentary lives. Taken together, these behaviors contribute to an elevated diabetes risk and highlight how emotional and social factors can influence daily choices that affect health outcomes.
Beyond personal habits, the study touches on broader implications for public health in North America. Interventions that foster social connection, community support, and mental well-being may help individuals adopt healthier diets and increase physical activity. For adults across Canada and the United States, strategies that reduce loneliness could support better weight management, improve metabolic profiles, and lower diabetes risk over time. The findings invite healthcare providers, policymakers, and communities to consider social and emotional health as part of comprehensive diabetes prevention efforts.
In practical terms, addressing loneliness might involve community programs, accessible social activities, and supportive services that encourage people to engage in regular physical activity and balanced eating. It also points to the value of screening for loneliness in routine health care, so that early, targeted support can be offered to those most at risk. By recognizing the link between emotional well-being and metabolic health, individuals can take proactive steps toward healthier living, and health systems can design more holistic approaches to prevent diabetes across diverse populations.