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.

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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.