ADA 2024: Global Burden Attributable to High Body Mass Index in Young Adults from 1990 to 2019, with Projections to 2050

Its worldwide health consequences of rising obesity rates among young adults still little known. In this study, an extensive examination of the disease burden due to high body mass index (BMI) among young individuals between 1990 to 2050 was conducted.

The analysis of deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) among young people aged 20-44 worldwide and by age, sex, year, region, and disease between 1990 and 2019 was based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Up to 2050, future estimates were evaluated in more detail. 

The worldwide incidence of elevated BMI in young people more than quadrupled from 1990 to 2019, reaching 24,510 (20,192-28,966) thousand DALYs and 322 (258-384) thousand deaths in 2019. Males exhibited more weight and greater rate of growth than females. The age-standardised rates of fatalities and DALYs in 2019 were greatest in middle Socio-demographic Index (SDI) areas, whereas the largest increase was observed in low-middle SDI regions. Diabetes and renal disease accounted for over 25% of all DALYs, with the highest growth. By 2050, the age-standardized DALY rate associated with elevated BMI had doubled that of 1990. 

It concludes that the specific weight management strategies for young adults are crucial in order to address the rising disease burden resulting from high BMI.

1162-p: American Diabetes Association (ADA) 84th Scientific Sessions, 2024, 21- 24 June 2024, Orlando, Florida.