What are the diseases based on diet?

November 25, 2025 •

2 min read

According to the World Health Organization, unhealthy diets are a leading global health risk, contributing significantly to the burden of noncommunicable diseases. Understanding what are the diseases based on diet is the first step toward making informed and healthier food choices.

Quick Summary

This article examines the broad range of health conditions influenced by dietary patterns, covering both excess intake and nutritional deficiencies. It explores common diet-related illnesses, their underlying mechanisms, and the crucial role of nutrition in disease prevention and management.

Key Points

Dietary Imbalances Cause Disease: Both overconsumption of calories, sugar, and unhealthy fats and undernutrition from nutrient deficiencies lead to serious health problems.
Obesity Drives Many Illnesses: Excess weight, primarily caused by high caloric intake and sedentary lifestyles, is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.
Unhealthy Fats and Sodium Increase CVD Risk: Diets high in saturated/trans fats and salt contribute to high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and atherosclerosis, increasing heart attack and stroke risk.
Nutrient Deficiencies Have Serious Consequences: Inadequate intake of essential vitamins and minerals can lead to conditions like anemia (iron), scurvy (vitamin C), and osteoporosis (calcum/D).
Processed Foods are a Major Concern: A reliance on ultra-processed foods, loaded with sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, is a key driver of modern diet-related chronic illnesses.
Preventative Action is Key: Promoting balanced diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats is crucial for preventing and managing many diet-related diseases.

The Connection Between Diet and Chronic Illness

Poor dietary choices significantly contribute to the development of numerous chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). A diet characterized by processed foods, unhealthy fats, sugar, and salt, with a lack of essential nutrients, escalates the risk for long-term health problems. These conditions are often preventable with consistent healthy eating. The influence of diet is intricate, involving interactions with genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors.

Overconsumption and Excess Intake

Many prevalent diet-related diseases arise from sustained excessive intake of specific nutrients and calories. This overnutrition causes metabolic imbalances and inflammation.

Obesity: Linked to consuming more calories than expended, often from energy-dense foods.
Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD): High intake of saturated/trans fats, salt, and cholesterol can increase blood pressure and cholesterol, causing arterial plaque.
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): Associated with diets high in saturated fats and sugar, leading to fat accumulation in the liver.

Malnutrition and Nutrient Deficiencies

Undernutrition and nutrient deficiencies are major global health issues, particularly in lower-income regions. These occur when the body lacks sufficient essential vitamins, minerals, and energy.

Iron-Deficiency Anemia: Caused by insufficient dietary iron.
Scurvy: Results from a severe vitamin C deficiency.
Osteoporosis: Linked to inadequate long-term calcium and vitamin D intake.
Kwashiorkor and Marasmus: Severe protein-energy malnutrition.
Goiter: Caused by insufficient iodine.

The Impact of Processed Foods and Lifestyle

A reliance on ultra-processed foods, high in salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats, is linked to a higher NCD risk. These foods and convenience-focused lifestyles contribute to poor nutritional choices.

Diet-Related Diseases: Comparison of Causes and Effects


Disease Category	Primary Dietary Cause	Key Metabolic/Physiological Effect	Long-Term Complications
Obesity	Caloric surplus, high intake of fat and sugar.	Excessive fat accumulation.	Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers.
Cardiovascular Disease	High saturated/trans fats, high sodium.	High blood pressure, high cholesterol, atherosclerosis.	Heart attack, stroke.
Type 2 Diabetes	High sugar and refined carbohydrates.	Insulin resistance, unstable blood sugar.	Nerve damage, kidney damage, vision loss.
Iron-Deficiency Anemia	Inadequate iron intake.	Reduced oxygen transport via blood.	Fatigue, reduced immunity, developmental issues.
Osteoporosis	Low calcium and Vitamin D.	Decreased bone density and strength.	Increased risk of fractures, disability.

The Path to Prevention and Better Health

Preventing diet-based illnesses involves both individual actions and public health efforts. Promoting access to and education about nutritious foods is key.

A healthy dietary pattern emphasizes:

Fruits and Vegetables: Rich in essential nutrients and protective compounds.
Whole Grains: Provide energy, fiber, and nutrients.
Healthy Fats: Favor unsaturated fats over saturated/trans fats.
Limited Processed Foods and Sugar: Helps prevent weight gain and metabolic issues.
Moderating Salt Intake: Important for preventing hypertension.

Conclusion

The strong link between diet and disease, encompassing overconsumption and undernutrition, is clear. Dietary choices profoundly affect health, influencing conditions from obesity and heart disease to nutrient deficiencies. Adopting balanced, nutrient-dense diets can significantly lower risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary disease associated with a high-sugar diet is type 2 diabetes, as excessive sugar consumption can lead to insulin resistance and unstable blood glucose levels over time.

Yes, diet can affect mental health.

A high-salt diet can lead to increased blood pressure (hypertension), which is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and stroke.

No, malnutrition includes not only undernutrition but also overnutrition and imbalances in nutrient intake. It can result from deficiencies or excesses of energy and specific nutrients.

To help prevent heart disease, one should reduce the intake of saturated and trans fats, limit salt, and increase consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

NAFLD, or Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, is the accumulation of fat in the liver. It is often linked to dietary patterns high in saturated fats and added sugars.

Examples of nutritional deficiency diseases include iron-deficiency anemia, scurvy (vitamin C deficiency), rickets (vitamin D deficiency), and osteoporosis (calcium and vitamin D deficiency).