A Detailed Examination of the Worldwide Impact of Type 2 Diabetes Linked to Dietary Risks: Insights from the Global Burden of Disease Study (1990–2021)

Abstract

Objective: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a considerable public health concern worldwide. In this study, the impact of T2DM attributable to dietary risk (T2DM-ADR) on disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and deaths was analysed using global burden of disease (GBD) data from 1990 to 2021 across 204 countries. Methods: T2DM-ADR was analysed in 204 different countries/regions from 1991 to 2021. Key indicators included DALYs and death tolls, which were assessed according to age, sex, and sociodemographic index (SDI). This study used descriptive and trend analyses, along with the ARIMA model, to predict future outcomes. Trends were quantified using age-standardized rates (ASRs), and the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) in the variables was used to quantify them. Results: DALYs due to dietary risk increased from 6,450,217 in 1990 to 19,146,810 in 2021, with the ASR increasing from 159.96 to 221.34 per 100,000. Deaths increased from 164,060 to 381,416, but age-standardized death rates somewhat decreased. China, India, and the U.S. reported the highest T2DM-ADR burdens, with a 260% increase in DALYs in middle-SDI regions, while low-SDI regions had the highest ASR. The 65–69 age group showed a significant increase in DALYs, with males surpassing females in 2021. Predictions for 2050 suggest that global DALYs will reach 17,865,944 for males and 18,121,264 for females, with deaths estimated at 264,822 for males and 305,383 for females, along with increasing ASR. Conclusions: This study highlights the considerable influence of dietary risk on the global prevalence of T2DM based on the GBD database. There is an urgent need to improve global dietary habits, health education, and food policy regulations to reduce the impact of T2DM on public health.