Are lesbians and bisexual women at greater risk of developing Diabetes?

A new study has found that lesbians and bisexual women are more likely to develop Type II Diabetes than heterosexual women.

Scientists from San Diego State University’s Graduate School of Public Health in California have reported that lesbian and bisexual women were 27% more likely to develop the condition following a new 24-year study.

While there are some indications that developing the condition  has some linkage to genetic factors and environment, lifestyle choices relating to exercise and diet are still believed to be the primary driver of increased risk.

The study tracked 94,250 women who had taken part in the Nurses’ Health Study II. A total of 1,267 identified as lesbian or bisexual. All the women were clinically reviewed for type 2 diabetes every two years between 1989-2013.

Women who identified as gay or bisexual had a larger body mass index than the heterosexual women in the study and also reported higher occurrences of Type II Diabetes.

The researches speculated that increased levels of stress among gay and bisexual women may be one factor driving the difference.

The results have been published in the journal Diabetes Care.

Source: Diabetes UK