An Update on the Epidemiology of Type 2 Diabetes: A Global Perspective

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a public health burden associated with immense health care and societal costs, early death, and morbidity. Largely because of epidemiologic changes, including nutrition transitions, urbanization, and sedentary lifestyles, T2D is increasing in every region of the world, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries. This article highlights global trends in T2D and discusses the role of genes, early-life exposures, and lifestyle risk factors in the cause of T2D, with an emphasis on populations in current hotspots of the epidemic. It also considers potential impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and T2D prevention policies and action.

Keywords: Carbohydrate quality; Developmental origins of health and disease; Diet quality; Obesity; Plant-based diets; Type 2 diabetes.