A study from Tufts University has found a strong link between poor dietary choices and the rise of type 2 diabetes, attributing over 14 million new cases globally in 2018 to suboptimal food habits. This represents more than 70% of new diagnoses across 184 countries. The research, published in Nature Medicine, analyzed data from 1990 to 2018 and identified three key dietary contributors: insufficient whole grain intake, excess refined rice and wheat, and overconsumption of processed meat. Factors like high fruit juice consumption and low intake of non-starchy vegetables also played a role but were less significant.
The study indicated that men, younger adults, and urban residents are disproportionately affected by diet-related diabetes. Central and Eastern Europe, particularly Poland and Russia, reported the highest incidence linked to diet, while Latin America and the Caribbean, especially Colombia and Mexico, also faced significant dietary challenges. In contrast, areas like South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa experienced fewer cases related to diet, although Sub-Saharan Africa saw the most significant increases over the study period. The findings emphasize the urgent need for global and national dietary improvements to combat the diabetes epidemic, with implications for healthcare systems worldwide.
