A recent Swedish study linked emotionally demanding jobs—such as teaching, nursing, and customer service—to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, particularly in women. However, Indian doctors say the reality is more nuanced
Published Jun 30, 2025 | 3:48 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 01, 2025 | 11:52 AM
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Synopsis: A Swedish study links emotionally demanding jobs like teaching and nursing to higher type 2 diabetes risk, especially among women. However, Indian doctors argue stress, not job type, is the key factor. Dr. Vinod Anand of MGM Malar, Chennai, says stress spans all professions and impacts both genders. In India, workplace stress and genetics, rather than occupation or gender, drive diabetes risk
A recent Swedish study linked emotionally demanding professions, like teaching, nursing, customer service etc to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, especially among women. But in India, doctors argue the picture is more complex.
According to Dr Vinod Anand, Internal Medicines and diabetologist at MGM Malar Chennai, it’s not the type of job that drives the type two diabetes risk, it is the workplace stress itself. And in India, stress cuts across all professions, from underpaid workers to white-collar employees.
“Stress increases the risk of diabetes. I’ve seen many teachers who are not diabetic, and I’ve also seen many people working in non-customer-oriented places who still get diabetes. So, it’s not really the job, it’s the stress in the job,” he said.
Though the Swedish study found more women at risk, Dr. Anand says the gender gap in India is narrowing. “The gender variation is very minimal. More and more men are also developing type 2 diabetes, it ultimately depends on stress and genetics,” he mentioned.
Dr. Sai Sravani Kesiraju, an internal medicine specialist at Kinder Hospitals Bengaluru, highlighted that India’s diversity in occupations, lifestyle, and culture makes it difficult to apply the same conclusions from Western studies.
“In India, things are different. Occupations and culture vary from city to city. A study can be done here, but there will be many limitations. No single factor explains everything. Stress without physical activity is the key risk, regardless of the job,” she said.
She stressed the need for stress management in daily life. “Whatever job we do, there will be stress. So, we need to manage it by balancing professional and personal life. After work, we should give time to ourselves on walking, jogging, yoga, anything that helps relax the body and manage stress.”
According to her, younger people today tend to experience more stress due to tighter deadlines and rising pressures. However, older individuals aren’t exempt, those who are still working or financially dependent may also face significant stress. “It all depends on the type of responsibilities a person has. So, stress isn’t about age, it’s about individual circumstances,” she added.
Dr. Vinod Anand pointed out that once a person is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, their occupation is rarely discussed in medical consultations. “Once a patient comes in with diabetes, where the person works doesn’t make a difference. There’s no point in making a job change, the damage is already done,” he said.
However, he noted that conversations around workplace stress become important in the prediabetic stage, when changes in lifestyle could still help prevent the condition.
While the Swedish study sheds light on how emotionally demanding jobs may increase diabetes risk, its findings may not fully apply to India, where stress cuts across all job types. “Currently, there are no major Indian studies tracking diabetes trends across different job sectors,” he added.
Until such data emerges from India, doctors say focusing on stress management and lifestyle changes remains the best way forward.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
