Finding a headline touting the importance of being in a relationship is not a difficult task. Some studies focus on the emotional benefits of being in a relationship, such as having consistent emotional support, not experiencing loneliness as frequently or powerfully, and having a partner to go through difficult experiences with. Others focus primarily on the physical benefits of prolonged partnership, ranging from eating healthier food to weighing less.

The statistics paint a similar story when marriage and diabetes collide. Some studies focus on the emotional impact marriage has on a diabetes patient (or patients if both partners have diabetes) while others focus primarily on the physical benefits (or detractors) of being in a long-term relationship with diabetes. Both provide interesting insight into marriage itself and the management of diabetes over the course of your life.

Mental and Emotional Benefits

Diabetes patients who have a spouse without diabetes can actually experience more emotional distress due to the feeling of constant nagging or policing regarding diet and exercise. Although this did not necessarily correlate to a decrease in overall health, it was consistently reported that there was some resentment among spouses where one did not have diabetes and the other did.

This did not seem to be the case among spouses where both had diabetes; instead, there was more understanding reported among these spouses as both were aware of the potential pitfalls of diabetes and more familiar with the allowances available within a diabetic framework.

Physical Benefits of Marriage

Across the board, diabetes patients who were married were found to be in greater physical health, with a particular focus on weight. One study found that diabetes patients who were married were significantly less likely to be overweight or obese than their single counterparts. While weight is not the single determinant in whether or not a diabetes patient is safely and effectively managing their condition, weight does play a significant role in the development and perpetuation of diabetes complications and co-morbid conditions.

A Case for Marriage

While marriage cannot be prescribed as readily as a dose of insulin, studies consistently demonstrate that marriage acts as a positive force in the lives of men and women with diabetes, with a particular focus on the physical health benefits, rather than the mental or emotional benefits. Marriage is certainly not a requirement of remaining healthy amidst a diabetes diagnosis, but it can lend a hand in ensuring stronger, happier outcomes in patients with the condition.