According to a study, it is found that increased stress can lead to diabetes mellitus and other metabolic disorders in the people who shift from rural areas to the cities in the developing countries.
The study says that the risk of diabetes and the other metabolic problems are increased due to the excessive exposure of the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol is the hormone that can alter the insulin level and also impact on its production.
In their research, they had chosen 28% people with diabetes and other metabolic diseases, resides in the urban areas. They found that the incidence of metabolic disorders was less than half for rural residents. On the other hand, the urban people had higher levels of cortisol hormone.
The researchers also said that the city residents reported that they do less exercise and consume more desserts and fast food. But ultimately it is the cortisol hormone which is influenced by the metabolic changes brought by the shifting to an urban lifestyle.
The study is published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.