A groundbreaking meta-analysis led by researchers from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has revealed that individuals who experienced famine during early life face a 43% higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The study, published in the journal Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice on April 30, analyzed 40 global studies conducted between 1995 and 2025, encompassing data from over 1.2 crore participants.
Key Findings of the Study
The research, spearheaded by Awakash Turkar of ICMR, found that the risk escalated to 47% in more recent studies conducted between 2016 and 2025. This indicates growing evidence of the long-term impact of early life undernutrition on metabolic health. The analysis highlighted that individuals exposed to prolonged or severe famine were particularly vulnerable. Those who endured famine for more than three years faced a significantly higher risk of 79%. Additionally, women were found to be more affected than men, with a 52% higher risk of developing diabetes.
Critical Periods of Exposure
The study, conducted by eight researchers, identified that exposure during the foetal stage and adolescence were critical periods when nutritional deprivation had lasting metabolic consequences. Scientists attribute this to long-term alterations in insulin function, glucose metabolism, and hormonal regulation triggered by undernutrition during key developmental stages. These findings are grounded in the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) theory, which posits that environmental stress in early life can permanently programme the body's metabolism, increasing susceptibility to chronic diseases in adulthood.
Consistency Across Studies
Despite variations across regions and study designs, the overall association between early famine exposure and diabetes risk remained consistent. Most evidence emerged from studies on the Chinese Great Famine and European famine events. The researchers emphasized that famine is not merely a historical event but a life-course determinant of chronic disease.
Public Health Implications
Sanghamitra Pati, Additional Director General of ICMR and one of the authors of the study, stressed the need to strengthen maternal and child nutrition programmes and prioritize early screening of populations exposed to food insecurity. With diabetes cases rising sharply worldwide, Pati underscored the importance of long-term public health strategies focusing on food security, early-life care, and preventive interventions to reduce the burden of metabolic disorders. She added that nutritional security is essential for people, as nutritional deprivation during key developmental periods may have lasting metabolic effects.
