Loneliness, Social Integration and Consumption of Sugar-Containing Beverages: Testing the Social Baseline Theory

Abstract

ObjectiveSocial Baseline Theory (SBT) proposes that close relationships aid in metabolic resource management and that individuals without significant relationships may experience more demands on their own neural metabolic resources on a daily basis when solving problems, remaining vigilant against potential threats and regulating emotional responses. This study tests a hypothesised consequence derived from SBT: relative social isolation leads to increased levels of sugar intake.MethodsBased on cross-sectional, self-reported data from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (N = 90 084), information on social integration and the consumption of both sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened sodas and juices was obtained from a large number of women in early pregnancy. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to assess whether loneliness, marital status, relationship satisfaction, advice from others than partner, and cohesion at work is associated with consumption of sodas and juices.ResultsPerceived loneliness was associated with elevated intake of all sugary beverages, while relationship satisfaction was negatively associated with all sugary beverages. Being married or cohabitating, having supportive friends, and having a sense of togetherness at work were associated with lower intake of two out of three sugar-containing beverages. These associations were significant, even after controlling for factors such as body mass index, weight related self-image, depression, physical activity, educational level, age and income. In comparison, a statistically significant relationship emerged between relationship satisfaction and artificially sweetened cola. No other predictor variables were significantly associated with any type of artificially sweetened beverage.ConclusionsThis study indicates that loneliness and social integration influence the level of consumption of sugary beverages. The results support the hypothesis derived from the Social Baseline Theory that relative social isolation leads to increased levels of sugar intake.

The Human Penguin Project: Climate, Social Integration, and Core Body Temperature

“…to homes ("attachhome"; Harris et al, 1996), daily sugary drinks consumption ("gluctot"; Henriksen et al, 2014) and diet drinks consumption ("artgluctot"; Henriksen et al, 2014), known benchmarks of CBT, like sex ("sex"), height ("height"), weight ("weightkg"), and whether they used medication ("meds"; Bergmann, 1847;Hill & Rahimtulla, 1965;Peters, 1986).…”

“…We measured a number of known correlates of core body temperature using a questionnaire and a number of social relationship variables that -based on prior research -should logically be related to core body temperature (e.g., nostalgia (Zhou et al, 2012) or attachment to homes (Van Acker et al, 2016)). We included a number of variables that have been found to relate to body temperature (stress; Marazziti et al, 1992; whether participants use medication) or those that have been known to relate to environmental temperature variations (nostalgia; Zhou et al, 2012;attachment to homes;Van Acker et al, 2016) or to metabolism and social network quality (like daily diet/sugary drinks consumption; Henriksen et al, 2014).…”

“…15. Gluctot = Glucose intake based on sugary drink intake (Henriksen et al, 2014 (Cohen et al, 1997). 24.…”

Social Baseline Theory: the social regulation of risk and effort

“…Indeed, evidence suggests that hills literally appear less steep when standing next to a friend [14]. Moreover, socially isolated individuals consume more sugar, even after adjusting for body mass index, weight related self-image, depression, physical activity, educational level, age and income [15]. To the human brain, social and metabolic resources are treated almost interchangeably.…”

A Theory of Social Thermoregulation in Human Primates

“…There are some other studies that were documented on the role of skin-to-skin contact and its relation to skin temperature which may show the connection between touch and skin temperature, to which we return when we discuss developmental thermoregulation. More indirect links have been provided between close relationships and the regulation of metabolic resources: Henriksen et al (2014) found that being socially integrated is related to a lesser consumption of drinks containing sugar during pregnancy, while thinking about a romantic partner (who is likely to be a source of warmth) 11 Evidence on huddling strategies was cited by Ebensperger (2001) on Bathyergidae (Heterocephalus glaber- Withers and Jarvis, 1980), Muridae (Abrothrix andinus, Abrothrix lanosus- Canals et al, 1997;Apodemus agrarius-Tertil, 1972; Apodemus flavicollis -Fedyk, 1971; Clethrionomys glareolus -Górecki, 1968;Gebczyński, 1969;Gebczyńska and Gebczyński, 1971; Eligmodontia typus- Canals et al, 1997;Meriones unguiculatus-Contreras, 1984;Mus musculus-Prychodko, 1958;Martin et al, 1980;Contreras, 1984;Microtus townsendii-Andrews et al, 1987;Ochrotomys nuttalli-Springer et al, 1981;Ondatra zibethicus-Bazin and MacArthur, 1992; Peromyscus leucopus- Glaser and Lustick, 1975;Vogt and Lynch, 1982; Peromyscus maniculatus- Andrews and Belknap, 1986;Phyllotis darwini-Canals et al, 1997;and Reithrodontomys megalotis-Pearson, 1960), Myocastoridae (Myocastor coypus- Moinard et al, 1992), Octodontidae (Octodon degus- Canals et al, 1989), and Sciuridae (Ammospermophilus leucurus- Karasov, 1983; Glaucomys volans- Stapp et al, 1991), but also for round-tailed ground squirrels Spermophilus tereticaudus (Dunford, 1977), southern flying squirrels Glaucomys volans (Stapp et al, 1991;Layne and Raymond, 1994), gray squirrels …”