Burden of disease attributable to high body mass index: an analysis of data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Endocrinology and Metabolism

Obesity is a major global health challenge with important clinical implications.

The authors conducted a systematic analysis of global disability-adjusted deaths and years of life (ACIV) attributable to high BMI. They used the methodology and analytical approaches of the 2021 Global Morbidity Burden (GBD) study.

A high BMI was defined as a BMI greater than 25 kg/m2 for people aged 20. The Socio-demographic Index (SDI) was used as a composite measure to assess the level of socio-economic development in different regions. Subgroup analyses considered age, sex, year, geographic location and SDI.

Between 1990 and 2021, the number of deaths and ACIV attributable to high BMI increased more than 2.5 times in women and men. However, age-standardized mortality rates remained stable for women and increased by 15% for men. Similarly, age-standardized DALY rates increased by 21.7% for women and 31.2% for men.

In 2021, the six main causes of ACID attributable to high BMI were diabetes mellitus, ischaemic heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, chronic kidney disease, low back pain and stroke.

From 1990 to 2021, countries with medium-low socio-demographic indices showed the largest annual percentage changes in age-standardized DALY rates, while countries with high socio-demographic indices had the lowest rates.

The global burden of disease due to high BMI increased significantly between 1990 and 2021. The increase in high global BMI and associated disease burden highlights the urgent need for regular monitoring and surveillance of BMI.

Source(s) :
Xiao-Dong Zhou ;

Hantavirus: how does the virus hijack the cell?

By Ana Espino | Published on May 11, 2026 | 4 min read

How can hantaviruses be stopped?

By Ana Espino | Published on May 11, 2026 | 4 min read

Immune cells and systemic lupus: a global dysregulation of the immune system

By Ana Espino | Published on May 8, 2026 | 4 min read