N. Orlova1, O. Tonkovyd2, O. Tkachenko1, I. Palamar1
1National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnytsa, Ukraine
2Shupyk National Healthcare University of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
ABSTRACT. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represents a major public health challenge in Ukraine and globally. Despite extensive international evidence, long-term national analyses of the T2DM burden and the contribution of specific dietary factors remain limited.
Aim. To evaluate the burden of T2DM in Ukraine from 1990 to 2023 using Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) and to quantify the contribution of dietary factors.
Materials and Methods. A retrospective epidemiological study was conducted using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD). DALYs were calculated as the sum of years of life lost (YLL) and years lived with disability (YLD), age-standardized per 100,000 population. The Comparative Risk Assessment framework estimated the proportion of DALYs attributable to metabolic and behavioral risk factors, including dietary determinants. Temporal trends (1990-2023) and structural contributions of individual dietary factors were analyzed.
Results. In 2023, T2DM accounted for 317.79 DALYs per 100,000 population in Ukraine, reflecting a 37.9 % increase since 1990. High BMI remained the leading determinant (63.74 % of total DALYs). Dietary factors contributed 18.48 % of T2DM-related DALYs, with the greatest impacts from excessive consumption of processed meat (6.34 %) and red meat (4.45 %), and insufficient fruit intake (5.73 %). The most unfavorable trends were observed for insufficient fiber (+86.15 %) and whole-grain consumption (+55.99 %). Low physical activity accounted for 4.38% of DALYs, amplifying the negative effects of poor diet and overweight.
Conclusions. A steady rise in the T2DM burden is observed in Ukraine, with dietary factors accounting for nearly one-fifth of T2DM-related DALYs. Population-level interventions promoting reduced processed and red meat intake, increased consumption of fruits, vegetables, fiber, and whole grains, weight management, and physical activity are essential to mitigate the T2DM burden and improve public health outcomes in Ukraine.
Keywords: public health, noncommunicable diseases, type 2 diabetes, DALYs, dietary factors, nutrition, prevention, Global Burden of Disease Study, Ukraine.
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