A recent study conducted by researchers from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine reveals a significant correlation between prenatal famine exposure and an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in adulthood. The research draws on historical data from the devastating Holodomor famine of 1932-1933 in Ukraine, a man-made disaster that led to millions of deaths.
The study examined 128,225 cases of Type 2 diabetes diagnosed between 2000 and 2008 among 10,186,016 Ukrainians born between 1930 and 1938. Researchers found that individuals exposed to famine during early gestation were more than twice as likely to develop Type 2 diabetes compared to those not exposed to famine conditions. These findings have been published in the journal Science.
The Holodomor famine, driven by Stalin’s policies, resulted in approximately 4 million excess deaths in just six months, making it one of the deadliest famines in history. In 1933, life expectancy at birth plummeted to just 7.2 years for females and 4.3 years for males. This grim period provided a unique opportunity to study the long-term effects of prenatal famine exposure on health, particularly the development of chronic conditions like Type 2 diabetes.
“The concentrated and intense nature of the famine in early 1933 allows us to precisely examine its impact on Type 2 diabetes cases diagnosed decades later,” said Dr. L.H. Lumey, a Professor of Epidemiology at Columbia Public Health and lead researcher on the study.
The famine was a result of Soviet policies that forced Ukrainian farmers to meet unrealistic grain procurement quotas. When these quotas were not met, the Soviet government launched widespread searches of homes, confiscating any food found and leaving families to starve. Additionally, restrictions were placed on travel, preventing people from seeking food elsewhere, which further exacerbated the crisis.
The famine’s impact was staggering, with famine-related deaths peaking in June 1933 at an average of 28,000 per day—equivalent to 1,167 deaths per hour. The study underscores the long-lasting health consequences of such early-life adversities, highlighting the need for comprehensive healthcare policies that consider the enduring effects of national disasters.
“Our research provides critical insights into how early-life adversities like the Holodomor can have long-term repercussions on population health, including chronic diseases and mental health,” Lumey noted. “This awareness should drive proactive policy measures to address the healthcare needs of populations affected by such events.”
While factors such as obesity and other common risk factors for Type 2 diabetes were considered, the study’s findings suggest that prenatal famine exposure was the dominant factor influencing the development of the disease among those studied. The research emphasizes the importance of preparedness in addressing the long-term health impacts of national disasters and preventing future occurrences.
Dr. Wolowyna of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a co-author of the study, highlighted the relevance of these findings in the context of modern-day conflicts, noting that the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine echoes the tactics of the Holodomor. “The siege of Mariupol and the blockade of Ukrainian ports serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing dangers of using food as a weapon,” Wolowyna remarked.
The study’s co-authors include researchers from the University of Michigan, Johns Hopkins University, University of Macau, Komisarenko Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism in Kyiv, Shupyk National Healthcare University in Kyiv, Ptoukha Institute of Demography and Social Sciences in Kyiv, and the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research in Germany. The research was supported by various institutions, including the Holodomor Research and Education Consortium in Canada and the National Institute of Aging.
Related topics:
Study Reveals Type 1 Diabetes Affects Taste and Flavor Recognition
Research Finds No Link Between Gestational Diabetes and Breast Cancer Risk
