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

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.