Association between famine exposure and type 2 diabetes mellitus over the last three decades: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

= 96.7 %). The pooled risk increased to 47 % in studies published between 2016 and 2025. Longer famine duration (RR = 1.79) and females (RR = 1.52) showed comparatively higher risk. Higher famine severity and exposures during the fetal stage indicated greater susceptibility. Thus, famine exposure is consistently associated with increased risk of T2DM, particularly with prolonged or severe exposure and among women. Nutritional deprivation during key developmental periods may have lasting metabolic effects.