Associations Between Psychosocial Stress, Saturated Fat, Physical Activity, and Blood Glucose in Type 2 Diabetes

Association of Psychosocial Stress

Abstract

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus involves dysregulated glucose homeostasis due to impaired insulin production, secretion, or action. Psychosocial stress activates the HPA axis, elevates cortisol, and reduces insulin sensitivity; saturated fat intake may aggravate insulin resistance; physical activity enhances insulin-mediated glucose uptake and endothelial function. Objective: To examine associations between psychosocial stress, saturated fat intake, and physical activity with blood glucose among adults with T2DM attending Sawah Lebar Public Health Center, Bengkulu City, 2025.Method: Case–control study with purposive sampling (n=138). Data collected via validated stress scales, physical-activity questionnaires, and dietary assessments; univariate and bivariate analyses used chi-square tests.  Results: No significant associations between psychosocial stress (p=0.518) or saturated fat intake (p=0.213) and blood glucose status. Physical activity was significantly associated with glycemic status (p=0.016), suggesting a protective effect. Conclusion: Despite plausible pathways linking saturated fat and stress to insulin resistance, only physical activity showed a significant association with glycemic control in this sample. Findings highlight physical activity as a modifiable behavioral target in T2DM management at the primary care level; larger, longitudinal studies with objective measures of diet, stress, and activity are warranted.