Faculty Mentor
John Neill
Major/Area of Research
Nutrition and Dietetics
Description
The study measured the everyday effects of acute stressors on blood glucose
(BG) levels and heart rate (HR) levels in a female, 21 years of age, who
is a type 1 diabetic. The hypothesis is that type 1 diabetics who are faced
with an acute stressor will have an abnormally elevated BG level and an
increased HR for a prolonged period of time and that these variables will
be positively correlated. BG levels and HR was recorded for over three days
for a baseline and then were recorded at the time of acute stressors and
several times after their initial occurrence. BG levels were obtained from a
continuous glucose monitoring sensor worn by the patient. The baseline BG
level was calibrated with data obtained from the most recent hemoglobin
A1c blood test. HR levels were obtained from a Fitbit tracker that continuously
monitored the HR levels. The time of the stressor and food that was
consumed at or near the time of occurrence was also recorded. The results
showed that BG levels were consistently high an hour after the time of the
stressor and remained elevated for at least two hours after. HR levels were
also the highest at the time of the event and remained above the baseline
level for at least one hour after the stressor. Behavioral methods to reduce
acute stress reactions may be useful to ameliorate these effects.
Included in
Effects of Everyday Stressors on Blood Glucose and Heart Rate in a Type 1 Diabetic
The study measured the everyday effects of acute stressors on blood glucose
(BG) levels and heart rate (HR) levels in a female, 21 years of age, who
is a type 1 diabetic. The hypothesis is that type 1 diabetics who are faced
with an acute stressor will have an abnormally elevated BG level and an
increased HR for a prolonged period of time and that these variables will
be positively correlated. BG levels and HR was recorded for over three days
for a baseline and then were recorded at the time of acute stressors and
several times after their initial occurrence. BG levels were obtained from a
continuous glucose monitoring sensor worn by the patient. The baseline BG
level was calibrated with data obtained from the most recent hemoglobin
A1c blood test. HR levels were obtained from a Fitbit tracker that continuously
monitored the HR levels. The time of the stressor and food that was
consumed at or near the time of occurrence was also recorded. The results
showed that BG levels were consistently high an hour after the time of the
stressor and remained elevated for at least two hours after. HR levels were
also the highest at the time of the event and remained above the baseline
level for at least one hour after the stressor. Behavioral methods to reduce
acute stress reactions may be useful to ameliorate these effects.