Consumption of Junk Foods and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: A Review

Abstract

According to the estimation of International Diabetes Federation (IDF) 2021, there are 537 million diabetics worldwide. The purpose of the current review is to explore the relationship between consumption of junk food and type 2 diabetes. Junk food is defined as being easily accessible, typically inexpensive, and having low nutritive value. These foods have lesser amounts of iron, calcium, and dietary fiber and are higher in calories, salt, and saturated fat. Unhealthy diet is one of the important lifestyle factors responsible for several health conditions. Junk foods includes deep fried, processed or ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and high sugar containing foodstuffs and beverages such as Sugar Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) are directly linked with higher body mass index (BMI), adiposity and increased insulin resistance (IR). For pertinent databases IDF Atlas reports, PubMed, Springer, Elsevier, Web of Science and BMJ were searched for original and meta-analysis studies published up to March, 2023. In recent decades, consumption of these foods has significantly increased worldwide. The primary risk factor for type 2 diabetes is obesity and consuming junk foods is strongly associated with being obese. Junk food consequences include an increase in type 2 diabetes cases especially among youths and adult women compared to men. Obesity or high BMI indicate a positive energy balance due to junk food intake. As a result, the recurrent consumption of junk food increases the likelihood of developing the type 2 diabetes.