The burden of type 2 diabetes attributable to dietary risks in China: Insights from the global burden of disease study 2021.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to comprehensively assess how dietary risk factors have influenced the prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in China from 1990 to 2021. The study seeks to provide robust data and scientific evidence essential for formulating effective preventive and control strategies to combat T2DM in China.

STUDY DESIGN

This cross-sectional study conducted secondary analyses using data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 (GBD 2021) to assess the burden of T2DM in China attributable to dietary risks.

METHODS

The study analyzed age-adjusted metrics related to T2DM, including death counts, Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), and Age-Standardized Rates (ASRs), using GBD 2021 data, stratified by age and sex. Additionally, Estimated Annual Percentage Changes (EAPCs) were employed to track trends over time.

RESULTS

In 2021, the results show that 21.43 % of T2DM-related deaths and 23.51 % of DALYs were attributable to dietary risk factors, notably a diet low in whole grains and high in red and processed meats. Over the period from 1990 to 2021, there has been an increasing trend in the EAPCs of death rates and DALYs associated with dietary risks in China, suggesting a substantial impact of dietary factors on the burden of T2DM in the country.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the urgent need for targeted public health interventions to promote dietary changes and reduce the burden of T2DM in China.