Researchers have identified an increase in disease risk factors globally due to an aging population and changing lifestyles. Factors such as particulate matter air pollution, smoking, low birthweight, and shorter gestation periods have contributed to the rise in conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and high body mass index. However, there have been improvements in areas such as unsafe water, sanitation, maternal and child health, and household air pollution. A study published in The Lancet from The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 revealed a significant increase in the number of people worldwide experiencing metabolism-related risk factors. These factors include high systolic blood pressure, high fasting plasma glucose, high body mass index, high LDL cholesterol, and kidney dysfunction, all associated with an aging population and changing lifestyles.
The study conducted by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington showed a 49% increase in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to metabolism-related risk factors between 2000 and 2021. Factors like high blood sugar and high blood pressure were increasingly affecting the health of individuals aged 15 to 49, increasing the risk of conditions like type 2 diabetes. The study authors emphasized the need for interventions focusing on obesity and metabolic syndromes to address preventable non-communicable diseases and improve global health outcomes. The analysis also highlighted the importance of prioritizing actions based on evidence linking risk factors, diseases, and injuries to guide future public health policies and initiatives.
The findings from the study indicated progress in reducing disease burden attributable to certain risk factors related to unsafe water, sanitation, maternal and child health, and household air pollution. However, challenges such as obesity, exposure to ambient particulate matter air pollution, and smoking remain prevalent and require urgent attention through global health policy efforts and exposure reduction strategies. The researchers pointed out the need for interventions targeting key risk factors like high blood sugar, high blood pressure, low physical activity, and unhealthy dietary habits to mitigate health risks and promote population health. They also noted that future trends may vary due to climate change and other factors, offering opportunities to improve health outcomes for future generations.
The study authors observed declines in disease burden for risk factors related to maternal and child health, unsafe water sources, malnutrition, and smoking, attributed to public health measures and humanitarian health initiatives over the past three decades. Despite these improvements, challenges persist in certain regions, including sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Oceania. The study highlighted the importance of addressing lifestyle choices leading to metabolic syndrome and the potential consequences of failing to address modifiable metabolic risk factors, which could result in a worsening global burden of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in the coming years.
Healthcare professionals not involved in the research emphasized the importance of promoting healthier eating habits, regular exercise, and early education on diet and exercise to address the global increase in obesity and associated health issues. They identified factors such as sedentary lifestyles, increased access to processed foods, lack of education on healthy living, and high costs of whole foods as contributing to the rise in metabolic risk factors. Addressing these challenges will require a multifaceted approach involving public health campaigns, education initiatives, and policy changes to encourage individuals to make healthier choices and reduce the burden of preventable diseases in the future.
