Cardiovascular Disease Burden Attributable to High Body Mass Index in Taiwan
Tzu-Lin Yeh1,2, Yi-Hsuan Roger Chen3, Hsin-Yin Hsu2,4,5
1Department of Family Medicine, Hsinchu MacKay Memorial Hospital, Hsinchu City.
Insights
Preventing high body mass index (BMI) in Taiwan could reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) by 18%. The study highlights the need for targeted prevention strategies, especially in early adulthood and specific regions, to lower the disease burden.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Cardiovascular Disease Research
Background:
- Disease burden studies in Taiwan are limited.
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) poses a significant health challenge.
- High body mass index (BMI) is a known risk factor for CVD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) attributable to high body mass index (BMI) in Taiwan.
- To analyze CVD burden by sex, age, and geographic location.
- To inform public health interventions for CVD prevention.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a comparative risk assessment approach based on the Global Burden of Disease study.
- Estimated population attributable fraction (PAF) and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for CVD.
- Used 2013 National Health Interview Survey data for BMI distribution and defined CVD as ischemic heart disease or stroke.
Main Results:
- High BMI accounted for 18.0% of the CVD burden in Taiwan (19.6% in men, 15.6% in women).
- The highest attributable fraction was observed in the 25-30 year age group (42.7%).
- Taitung County showed the highest PAF (21.9%) and age-standardized attributable burden (412 DALYs per 100,000 person-years).
Conclusions:
- An 18% reduction in CVD is achievable through obesity and overweight prevention.
- Prevention efforts are most effective when initiated in early adulthood.
- Targeted resource allocation is crucial for specific populations and regions to reduce CVD and health inequities.
Background:
Studies on disease burden in Taiwan are lacking. We aimed to quantify the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) attributable to high body mass index (BMI) in Taiwan.
Methods:
Using a comparative risk assessment approach from the Global Burden of Disease study, we estimated the population attributable fraction (PAF), attributable CVD burden, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) according to sex, age, and area of residence in Taiwan. The BMI distribution for the population was obtained from the National Health Interview Survey in 2013. CVD was defined as an ischemic heart disease or stroke.
Results:
The attributable PAF for CVD from high BMI was 18.0% (19.6% in men and 15.6% in women), and it was highest (42.7%) in those aged 25-30 years. Adults aged 60-65 years had the highest absolute DALYs (11,546). The average relative age-standardized attributable burden was 314 DALYs per 100,000 person-years, and it was highest in those aged 75-80 years (1,407 DALYs per 100,000 person-years). Those living in Taitung County had the highest PAF of 21.9% and the highest age-standardized attributable burden (412 DALYs).
Conclusions:
In Taiwan, an 18% reduction in CVDs could be achieved if obesity/overweight was prevented. Prevention was most effective in early adulthood. The absolute CVD burden from obesity/overweight was highest in middle-aged men, and the relative burden was highest in older adults. Resource allocation in targeted populations and specific areas to eliminate CVD and health inequities is urgently required.
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