Changing trends of the diseases burden attributable to high BMI in Asia from 1990 to 2019: results from the global burden of disease study 2019

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the trends of diseases burden attributed to high body mass index (BMI), including overweight and obesity, in Asia from 1990 to 2019. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: The data of 45 countries and regions in Asia were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 database. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Numbers, age-standardised rate (ASR) of deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and the corresponding estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs), attributable to high BMI in Asia from 1990 to 2019, were analysed by regions, genders and age. We also analysed changes in the causes of deaths and DALYs that are attributable to high BMI over this period. RESULTS: In 2019, all causes deaths attributable to high BMI in Asia were 2 329 503, with increases by 265% compared with 1990. Over three decades, DALYs related to high BMI have increased by 268%. The ASRs of deaths and DALYs in Asia both showed continuous upward trends during this period (EAPC 1.39; 95% certainty interval [95% CI] 1.35 to 1.43 for deaths; EAPC 1.8; 95% CI 1.76 to 1.84 for DALYs), while both were declined in high-income areas (EAPC −2.03 and −1.26). By geographical regions, disease burden in Central Asia and West Asia have been fluctuating at high levels, but high-income Asia Pacific showed decreasing trends of ASR of deaths (EAPC −2.03) and DALYs (EAPC −1.26). Over this period, disease burden in Asia was changing from women to men, and tends to ageing. In addition, diabetes were the diseases most affected by high BMI, and cancer burden was high in middle-aged and elderly people. CONCLUSIONS: The disease burden attributed to high BMI in Asia has experienced great changes. It is necessary to promote the prevention of obesity and chronic diseases in a comprehensive manner, especially in low-income areas, men and elderly.