Global trends in ischemic stroke burden attributable to high BMI

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Public Health
• Global Health

Background:

• High body mass index (BMI) is a significant risk factor for ischemic stroke (IS).
• Understanding the global burden of IS associated with high BMI is crucial for targeted public health strategies.
• Trends in IS burden related to high BMI vary significantly across different global regions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the worldwide burden of ischemic stroke (IS) associated with high body mass index (BMI).
• To analyze trends in IS-related age-standardized death rates (ASDR) and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributed to high BMI over the past three decades.
• To identify regional disparities and demographic factors influencing the burden of IS linked to high BMI.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 study.
• Analyzed age-standardized death rates (ASDR) and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for ischemic stroke attributed to high BMI.
• Employed Estimated Annual Percentage Changes (EAPCs) to assess temporal trends in IS burden associated with high BMI.

Main Results:

• A global declining trend in IS burden associated with high BMI was observed over the past 30 years.
• Significant declines were noted in Western Europe and high-income Asia Pacific regions.
• Conversely, Southeast Asia experienced substantial increases in ASDR and DALY rates, particularly among males under 65, with the highest burden in low to middle sociodemographic index regions.

Conclusions:

• While global IS burden linked to high BMI is decreasing, concerning upward trends exist in specific developing regions like Southeast Asia.
• Insufficient medical infrastructure and ineffective public health policies contribute to the rising burden in affected regions.
• Targeted interventions focusing on behavioral changes, diet, and physical activity monitoring are essential for policymakers to mitigate the impact of high BMI on IS.