When we hear the word malnutrition, most of us picture weakness, frailty, and underweight bodies. But modern research shows a surprising truth—malnutrition can also increase the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Many low-income families rely on cheap foods high in sugar and fat but low in essential nutrients. Over time, this poor diet not only leads to weight gain but also raises the chances of developing diabetes. Even more worrying, the long-term effects of malnutrition in mothers and children can be passed down across generations, making them more prone to metabolic disorders.

How Malnutrition Disrupts the Body

Experts like Dr. Rajiv Jayadesan and Dr. Sanjeev Galande explain that inadequate nutrition interferes with the body’s metabolism. When the body doesn’t get enough nutrients, it switches into “energy-saving mode”—slowing down metabolism and storing energy as fat for future use.

While this may seem like a survival strategy, it backfires. When such individuals later eat calorie-dense foods like fried snacks, sugary drinks, or fast food, their bodies rapidly convert this energy into fat. Combined with a sedentary lifestyle, this sharply increases obesity and diabetes risk.

This phenomenon is why doctors now call malnutrition and obesity a “double burden of disease.”

What Research Reveals

A landmark study published in Cell Metabolism by Indian researchers tested the long-term impact of poor diets on mice over 50 generations.

• Mice fed with chronically low-nutrition diets developed higher insulin levels.

• Essential nutrients like vitamin B12 and folate decreased significantly.

• Shockingly, these changes persisted for two more generations, even when the offspring later received a balanced diet.

The findings highlight that malnutrition not only primes the body to store fat but also leaves lasting imprints that can trigger obesity and type 2 diabetes in future generations.

Breaking the Cycle: What Experts Suggest

Public health specialist Dr. Samir Bhati stresses that solving this crisis requires systemic changes:

• Ensure access to affordable, nutrient-rich food for all.

• Restrict the marketing of unhealthy processed and junk foods.

• Promote nutrition education programs in schools and communities.

• Encourage families to adopt balanced diets, regular exercise, and routine health check-ups.

The Way Forward

Obesity and diabetes are no longer just diseases of affluence—they are increasingly tied to undernutrition. Addressing this double burden requires not only personal lifestyle changes but also strong government policies to make healthy food accessible and affordable for everyone.