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Are Eating Disorders Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

  • Lifestyle Management to Reduce Diabetes/Cardiovascular Risk (B Conway and H Keenan, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Recent Findings

Eating disorders (ED) affect energy intake modifying body fat depots. Prior evidence suggests that binge eating disorder (BED) and bulimia nervosa (BN) could increase the risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D), while anorexia nervosa (AN) could reduce it.

Purpose of Review

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate if ED are risk factors for T2D.

Summary

Ten studies were selected out of 1057 screened. Meta-analysis of six studies with T2D as outcome is reported. Among cross-sectional studies, both BED (OR 3.69, 95% CI [1.12–12.12]) and BN (OR 3.45 [1.92–6.1]) increased the risk of T2D, while AN was not associated with lower risk (OR 0.87 [0.40–1.88]). Cohort studies showed increased risk of T2D with BN (RR 1.7 [1.2–2.5]), and decreased risk with AN (RR 0.71 [0.52–0.98]), but for BED the association was less clear (OR 3.34 [0.85–13.12]). Limitations of studies and recommendations for future research are presented.

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Author notes

  1. Ramfis Nieto-Martínez

    Present address: Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 1201 Northwest 16th Street, CLC 207, Miami, FL, 33125, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center (GRECC) and South Florida Veterans Affairs Foundation for Research & Education, Miami VA Healthcare System, Miami, FL, USA

    Ramfis Nieto-Martínez & Hermes Florez

  2. Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University Centro-Occidental “Lisandro Alvarado” and Cardio-metabolic Unit 7, Barquisimeto, Venezuela

    Ramfis Nieto-Martínez

  3. The Andes Clinic of Cardio-Metabolic Studies, Mérida, Venezuela

    Juan P. González-Rivas

  4. Division of Preventive Cardiology, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    José R. Medina-Inojosa

  5. Departments of Public Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA

    Hermes Florez

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  1. Ramfis Nieto-Martínez
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Nieto-Martínez, R., González-Rivas, J.P., Medina-Inojosa, J.R. et al. Are Eating Disorders Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Curr Diab Rep 17, 138 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-017-0949-1

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