Data was gathered on almost 4,700 people who were not diabetic at the outset of the study in 1989. Over ten years, during which 234 of them developed diabetes, they were evaluated for symptoms of depression. After correcting for other factors, diabetes was about 60 percent more likely among those who had higher levels of depressive symptoms.
The cause of the association was not clarified, but lead researcher Mercedes Carnethon of Northwestern University hypothesized that depressed people are less likely to care for their health in general.
Biological factors such a high level of the stress hormone cortisol could contribute as well, because high cortisol levels may cut insulin sensitivity and cause increased fat deposits around the waist.
Read More
