Is Diabetes a Disease of Affluence? Is It Only Caused by Overeating?

Hey friend, that's a great question, and it's a common misconception. Let me break it down for you.

Conclusion first: Diabetes used to have a bit of a "disease of affluence" association, but that's absolutely not the case anymore! It's more accurately described as a "lifestyle disease".

Why was it called a "disease of affluence" before?

Think back to decades ago, or even earlier, when general living conditions weren't as good.

Food scarcity was common: Most people ate simple meals and were just happy to have enough to eat. Having rich, fatty foods or big feasts was rare throughout the year.
Physical labor was prevalent: Transportation was inconvenient, and most work involved farming or manual labor, meaning people got plenty of daily exercise.

Back then, only the wealthy or privileged could afford to:

Eat refined grains (like white rice and flour), rich meats, fish, and pastries every day.
Ride in vehicles when going out, have servants at home, and get very little exercise.

This lifestyle of "eating too well and moving too little" is precisely a major trigger for (Type 2) diabetes. So, at that time, people who got diabetes really gave the impression that it was "a disease only the rich got."

Why isn't it a "disease of affluence" anymore?

Times have changed, and our lives have undergone a massive transformation.

1. "Eating well" doesn't equal "eating healthily"

What "eating well" means now is completely different from before. Our problem is no longer "not having enough to eat," but rather "eating too carelessly" and "eating too much refined food."

High-calorie foods are everywhere and cheap: A bubble tea, a fried chicken burger, a bag of chips, a bottle of cola... these things are loaded with calories, sugar, and fat, but cost very little and are easily accessible to anyone. This has nothing to do with being "affluent."
Unbalanced diets: Many people eat too many refined grains (like white rice and bread), not enough fruits and vegetables, rely heavily on takeout, and consume food high in oil and salt. These eating habits can exist regardless of income level.

2. Lifestyles are generally more sedentary

Most people's work and daily routines now look like this:

Sitting for long periods: Sitting at a desk for work, then becoming a couch potato scrolling through phones or watching TV at home.
Relying on transportation: Preferring to drive or take transport even for short distances.
Significantly reduced physical exertion: Many people are severely lacking in exercise.

This lifestyle also has little to do with "affluence"; it's a very common modern norm.

3. Genetics play a crucial role

Diabetes, especially Type 2 diabetes, has a strong genetic component.

An analogy: You might be born with a genetic "switch" predisposing you to diabetes. In the past, when living conditions were poor, this switch might never have been flipped. But now, unhealthy diets, lack of exercise, obesity, high stress... these factors are like a hand ready to flip that "switch" at any time.

Therefore, people with a family history, even if their living conditions are modest, face a much higher risk of developing the disease if they have poor lifestyle habits compared to those without a family history.

To summarize

So you see, getting diabetes nowadays really has little to do with being "affluent" or not. It's no longer the "exclusive" problem of any specific social class; it treats everyone equally.

The people who are truly more susceptible to diabetes are those who fall into these categories:

People with a family history (the genetic switch is pre-installed)
People with unhealthy diets (love sugary drinks, high-fat/oil foods, too many refined carbs)
People who are inactive and sedentary long-term (reduced metabolic function)
People who are overweight or obese (especially with a large waistline – "central obesity")
People under high stress or with irregular sleep patterns

So, let's stop thinking of diabetes as a "disease of affluence." It's more like a "modern disease" or a "lifestyle disease." It's a reminder to every one of us, regardless of wealth, to pay attention to our habits: eat healthier and move more. That's the best way to prevent it.