The epidemic of type 2 diabetes across the world shows limited signs of abating. There are many documented risk factors, obesity, sugar intake and family history.
Over the past few years, a number of studies have looked into the effect of noise levels on diabetes. Almost all have concluded that higher noise levels (particularly in home environments) contribute to incidence of type 2 diabetes.
Studies in Sweden, UK and a meta study looking at a total of 9 relevant studies have all come up with the same basic conclusion.
In Denmark, they determined that incidence levels are increased by around 10-11%. In the UK, they have quoted 85% higher levels of type 2 diabetes (this is a staggering result, but maybe we need to wait for peer review before taking this as gospel:
The meta-study concluded that exposure to higher noise levels in the residential environment were 22% higher to have type 2 diabetes (95% confidence) for noise levels >60dBa compared with noise levels of <64dBa (note the overlap - which means the impact of noise is higher than stated).
The same meta-study concluded no material difference in diabetes levels for exposure to >85 dBa in the work environment.
The trend however is clear. Noise makes you sick. For me, working against a family history of type 2 diabetes, and always struggling to stay under the 25 BMI threshold, here is one more factor I need to take into account.