Squatting elicits postural stress and increases in blood pressure. This elicits reflex bradycardia via the baroreceptor reflex. In disease conditions such as diabetes, there may be dysfunction of baroreceptor activity such that the greater pressor responses occur and bradycardia is blunted. The aim of this study was to study the effect of postural stress in diabetic patients and to determine whether sex influences the responses relative to non-diabetics. Method. 40 non- diabetic adults (M/F:18 / 22, 43.30 ±1.07 years) were recruited from local community and 40 diabetic patients (M/F:11 /29, 52.56±1.53 years) were recruited. After subjects had rested in sitting position for 10 mins, they stood for 3 minutes and squatted for 2mins. Recording of systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP) and heart rate (HR) was done in each position using automated blood pressure monitor (Omron). Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was calculated using the formula (1/3 Pulse pressure + Diastolic blood pressure) and Pulse Pressure (PP) was calculated using the formula; SBP – DBP. Changes in BP and HR between sitting and standing and between standing and prompt squatting were calculated. Group comparisons were done and the effect of postural stress was determined using unpaired Student’s T test. Statistical significance was determined at level of p<0.05. Result. In diabetics and in non-diabetics, standing from sitting elicited increase in SBP of +4.63±1.41 vs +5.05±1.41 mmHg, DBP of +6.60±0.91vs +4.50±0.70 mmHg, MABP of +7.44±1.75 vs +5.02±0.73 mmHg, PP of -1.98±1.19 vs +0.55±1.42mmHg and HR of +6.95±0.96 vs +4.78±0.96 bpm (p>0.05 respectively). Squatting elicited greater pressor responses in non-diabetic women relative to non-diabetic men with increase in SBP of +9.46±1.90 vs +1.44±2.26mmHg, p= 0.009); DBP of +3.00±1.38 vs -3.33±1.37mmHg, p=0.003); MAP of +5.15±1.30 vs -1.82±1.44mmHg p=0.001. The change in heart rate was similar in non-diabetic women (+1.36±2.77 bpm) and men (+1.83±1.11bpm, p=0.89). The diabetic men and women showed similar increase in SBP of +17.69± 2.57 vs +16.64± 4.26 mmHg, DBP of 5.48±1.49 vs 4.09±1.97mmhg and MABP of +8.77±1.90 vs +8.27±2.10 mmHg, (p>0.05 respectively) in response to squatting. The difference in the HR between the diabetic women (-2.55±1.32bpm) and men (1.64±2.75bpm) was not significant (p=0.13). Conclusion. In diabetic and non diabetic middle aged Nigerian adults, standing elicited pressor responses rather than a decrease. In the diabetic group, there were no sex differences in the responses to squatting. However, the pressor responses to squatting were greater in the non-diabetic women relative to men, however there was no concurrent bradycardia, suggesting blunted baroreceptor activity. Unexpectedly, the results suggests greater vascular tone and autonomic dysregulation in the non-diabetic women who therefore may be at greater risk of developing stress induced cardiovascular disorder.