Summary
This analysis of Global Burden of Disease 2021 data quantifies the growing global health burden attributable to high body mass index between 1990 and 2021. Global deaths and DALYs more than doubled, though age-standardised rates showed sex-specific and geographically variable patterns, with low- and middle-income countries experiencing the steepest increases. Diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases (ischemic heart disease, hypertensive heart disease) were identified as the primary drivers of high BMI-attributable morbidity and mortality.
Regional applicability
The findings provide context for UK obesity trends within a global comparative framework. However, as a high-SDI country, the UK likely exhibits lower annual percentage changes in age-standardised rates compared to low- and middle-income countries, suggesting that UK-specific surveillance and intervention strategies may need to account for different trajectories and disease-specific drivers than those observed in lower-income settings.
Key measures
Absolute deaths and DALYs attributable to high BMI; age-standardised death rates (ASDR) and DALY rates (ASDR); annual percentage changes; leading disease causes; stratification by sex, age, geography and Socio-Demographic Index (SDI)
Outcomes reported
The study quantified absolute and age-standardised deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to high BMI across 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2021, stratified by age, sex, geographical location and socio-economic development level. It identified the leading causes of high BMI-attributable morbidity and mortality and documented differential trends by sex and socio-economic status.
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