Volunteering and Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes in Black Adolescents From Low-Income Families

Is volunteering associated with metabolic syndrome or diabetes among Black adolescents from lower-income households?In this cohort study including 1379 Black adolescents from 2 separate studies, those who volunteered, and who volunteered more frequently, had fewer indications of metabolic syndrome; higher purpose in life statistically mediated this association. Also, Black adolescents who volunteered had reduced odds of diabetes in adulthood.These findings suggest that activities intended to benefit others may relate to better cardiometabolic health among volunteers themselves, suggesting that volunteering could be one positive component of the social determinants of health.

Corresponding Author: Edith Chen, PhD, Northwestern University, 2029 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208 (edith.chen@northwestern.edu).

Link to the article in your story

We encourage you to link out to this article in your story using the link below. It includes an access token that will give free access to the article for your readers up to one year after publication. (The link will be live after the article publishes and embargo is lifted.)

Please see the article for additional information, including full author list, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

Need more information? Contact us.