Summary of 70% of Type 2 Diabetes Cases Linked to Food Choices:
A poor diet was a significant factor in over 14 million cases of type 2 diabetes worldwide in 2018, according to research by the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, published in Nature Medicine. Of 11 dietary factors considered, insufficient intake of whole grains, excesses of refined rice and wheat, and overconsumption of processed meat were the primary culprits. The findings highlight critical areas for global and national nutritional improvements, with the analysis revealing that poor carbohydrate quality is a leading driver of the diet-based diabetes burden.
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How a Poor Diet is Causing a Global Rise in Type 2 Diabetes
A new study by the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University has established a correlation between poor diet and the rising incidence of type 2 diabetes worldwide. The research model finds that poor diet is a significant factor in developing over 14.1 million cases of type 2 diabetes in 184 countries in 2018, accounting for over 70% of new diagnoses globally.
The study, published in Nature Medicine, offers insights into the dietary factors responsible for the burden of type 2 diabetes globally. The analysis reveals that three dietary factors, namely insufficient intake of whole grains, excesses of refined rice and wheat, and the overconsumption of processed meat, had disproportionately large impacts on new cases of the disease.
“Left unchecked, and with incidence only projected to rise, type 2 diabetes will continue to impact population health, economic productivity, health care system capacity, and drive health inequities worldwide,” says first author Meghan O’Hearn.
The Impact of Poor Carbohydrate Quality on Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is characterized by the resistance of the body’s cells to insulin. The research model shows that poor carbohydrate quality is a leading driver of diet-attributable type 2 diabetes globally, with critical variation by nation and over time. All 184 countries included in the study saw an increase in type 2 diabetes cases between 1990 and 2018, representing a growing burden on individuals, families, and healthcare systems.T that.
“The new findings reveal critical areas for national and global focus to improve nutrition and reduce the devastating burdens of diabetes,” says senior author Dariush Mozaffarian, Jean Mayer Professor of Nutrition and dean for policy at the Friedman School.
Global and Regional Variations in Type 2 Diabetes Incidence
The research model that factored in information from the Global Dietary Database reveals that poor diet is causing a more significant proportion of total type 2 diabetes incidence in men versus women, in younger versus older adults, and in urban versus rural residents at the global level.
Regionally, Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia, particularly in Poland and Russia, where diets are rich in red meat, processed meat, and potatoes, had the most significant number of diabetes cases linked to diet. Incidence was also high in Latin America and the Caribbean, especially in Colombia and Mexico, where high consumption of sugary drinks and the overconsumption of processed meat are prevalent.
Regions, where diet had less impact on type 2 diabetes cases include South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa—of the 30 most populated countries studied, India, Nigeria, and Ethiopia had the fewest chance of type 2 diabetes related to unhealthy eating.
The Study’s Implications for National and Global Nutrition Initiatives
The study emphasizes the need for nutrition-focused policy initiatives to improve dietary patterns and reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases like type 2 diabetes worldwide. The research team recommends adopting nutritional guidelines that encourage an adequate intake of whole grains, non-starchy vegetables, nuts, and seeds while limiting the consumption of refined grains and processed meat.
“These findings can help inform nutritional priorities for clinicians, policymakers, and private sector actors as they encourage healthier dietary choices that address this global epidemic.” says author Meghan O’Hearn.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation funded the study, aiming to generate evidence on global dietary patterns that could inform solutions to non-communicable diseases.
Reference:
“Incident type 2 diabetes attributable to suboptimal diet in 184 countries” by Meghan O’Hearn, Laura Lara-Castor, Frederick Cudhea, Victoria Miller, Julia Reedy, Peilin Shi, Jianyi Zhang, John B. Wong, Christina D. Economos, Renata Micha, Dariush Mozaffarian and Global Dietary Database, 17 April 2023, Nature Medicine.
DOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02278-8
