What diseases does the term “diseases of affluence” refer to?

In daily life, many people have heard of “diseases of affluence,” yet few truly understand what they are. So, what exactly are “diseases of affluence”?

What Are “Diseases of Affluence”?

“Diseases of affluence” generally refer to diabetes mellitus, hyperuricemia, and gouty arthritis. Diabetes primarily results from excessive consumption of high-fat, high-sugar, and high-calorie foods, leading to elevated blood glucose levels. Hyperuricemia arises from overconsumption of purine-rich foods, while gouty arthritis is a complication stemming from hyperuricemia. These conditions are largely diet-related and occur rarely in impoverished regions—hence the term “diseases of affluence.”

“Diseases of affluence” mainly denote metabolic disorders—particularly those caused by nutritional excess. With improvements in living standards, dietary patterns have changed significantly, often resulting in binge eating or overeating, which in turn predisposes individuals to various health conditions. These include hypertension, fatty liver disease, obesity, coronary artery disease, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and cerebral thrombosis. Such diseases predominantly arise from poor lifestyle and dietary habits—especially excessive intake of high-fat and high-calorie foods—and thus diabetes is commonly dubbed a “disease of affluence.”

Additionally, attention should be paid to dietary regulation: consume light, balanced meals with appropriate proportions of animal- and plant-based foods; limit spicy, stimulating, greasy, raw, cold, and hard-to-digest foods. Increase physical activity and regular exercise, and consume more fresh fruits and vegetables. We hope this response has been helpful to you!