People who work for more than 40 hours per week and are exposed to high levels of stress at job are more prone to developing diabetes symptoms than their counterparts who have a job which does not give them 'headaches' and work 21 to 40 hours a week. Two recent studies - one conducted by a team of researchers at the Tel Aviv University in Israel and the other one by University of California scientists - pointed out that there may be a close link between working overtime, in stressful conditions and an elevated risk for diabetes.

The research run by the Tel Aviv University team found that, out of 677 Israeli workers with an average age of 43 years, those who were exposed to high levels of stress at work, or job burnout, were 1.83 times more likely to become diabetics. This first trial took into account factors such as age, sex and obesity. On the other hand, another trial also led by the Israeli researchers, in which the possible effect of blood pressure levels was eliminated, found that working people permanently exposed to job burnout had a 4.32-fold risk of becoming afflicted with type 2 diabetes.

However, Tel Aviv University scientists said that high levels of stress at work should not be considered a direct risk factor for diabetes, but people should be aware that it can boost the likelihood for developing the condition by a "magnitude similar to other risk factors, such as high body mass index, smoking and lack of physical exercise," explained study lead author Samuel Melamed, Associate Professor at the University.

The scientist also added: "It is possible that these people are prone to diabetes because they can't handle stress very well. Their coping resources may have been depleted not only due to job stress but also life stresses, such as stressful life events and daily hassles."

Another study carried out by a team of researchers at the University of California found that working for more than 40 hours per week considerably increases employees' risk for type 2 diabetes, according to mirror.co.uk. The study investigated data on more than 62,000 female nurses with ages ranging from 29 to 46. Overall results of the study showed that working for 60 hours weekly doubles one's the risk for type 2 diabetes, while working between 40 and 60 hours per week increases the risk for the same fearful condition by 50%.

Medical experts explained that stress and long-working hours are linked to an elevated likelihood of developing diabetes because increased levels of cortisol - the stress hormone - in the body bring about high blood pressure and body fat. Study leader Dr Candyce Kroenke concluded: "Results were consistent with an impact of job stress on diabetes outcome, and hours worked per week may reflect the extent of exposure to stress."