A major international study published in The Lancet on Thursday reveals that obesity, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure are now leading to nearly 50% more years of healthy life lost due to disease or premature death compared to the year 2000. Conversely, years lost due to factors associated with maternal and child undernutrition, such as stunting or wasting, have dropped by 71.5%.
The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2021 analyzed data from 204 countries and territories to identify the leading causes of illness and early death worldwide, measured in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). The data indicates a clear shift in global health challenges, driven by aging populations and changing lifestyles. However, air pollution remains the biggest risk factor in both 2000 and 2021.
Despite these global trends, undernutrition continues to be a major risk factor in sub-Saharan Africa. The study highlights an alarming rise in ill-health among 15- to 49-year-olds attributed to high body-mass index (BMI) and high blood sugar—two significant risk factors for diabetes.
“Future trends may be quite different than past trends because of factors such as climate change and increasing obesity and addiction,” said Liane Ong, lead research scientist at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, which led the study.
An accompanying study from the Global Burden of Diseases team predicts that global life expectancy will rise by 4.5 years by 2050, from 73.6 years to 78.1 years. The largest increases are likely in countries with lower current estimates, suggesting a convergence in life expectancies globally. However, while people are expected to live longer, they are likely to spend more years in poor health.
Impact:
The study underscores the growing impact of obesity and high blood sugar on global health, contributing significantly to ill-health among individuals aged 15 to 49. These metabolic issues are increasingly leading to chronic conditions like diabetes, signaling a shift in health challenges as lifestyles evolve and populations age. The findings also suggest that future health trends could be influenced by broader factors such as climate change, rising obesity rates, and addiction.
Recommendations:
To address these pressing health issues, the study recommends the following actions:
- Increase Public Health Awareness and Education: Elevate awareness about the risks of obesity, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure. Promote preventive measures through lifestyle changes.
- Implement Supportive Policies: Develop policies that encourage healthy diets and physical activity, targeting both individuals and communities to create supportive environments for health.
- Enhance Healthcare Systems: Strengthen healthcare systems for early detection and management of metabolic issues, ensuring improved access to healthcare services and affordable medications.
- Encourage Global Cooperation and Investment: Foster international collaboration and invest in research to better understand and tackle the complex factors contributing to the rise in these health issues.
As the world faces these evolving health challenges, it is crucial for policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities to work together to implement these recommendations and help improve global health outcomes for future generations.
