Global burden of non-communicable diseases attributable to dietary risks in 1990-2019

Background Dietary risks have raised attention worldwide during recent decades. The present burden-of-disease study aimed to evaluate the global dietary risks for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) from 1990 to 2019 and quantify their impact on mortality and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). Data from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study on deaths and DALYs from NCDs attributable to worldwide dietary risks were obtained and underwent deep analysis by year, age, gender, location, leading risks and leading causes, and their associations were examined. The socio-demographic index (SDI) was used as an indicator of national socio-economic status, as well as the relationships between age-standardised rates of deaths or DALYs and socio-economic status. Results In 2019, 7.9 million deaths and 187.7 million DALYs were attributable to dietary risk factors. High intake of sodium and low intake of whole grains and fruits were leading dietary risks for deaths and DALYs worldwide. However, both indices showed a decreasing trend by year, an increase by age and a higher disease burden in males. The main distribution of dietary-related NCDs was located in highly populated countries. A negative association between the SDI and disease burden and a positive association between the SDI and male preponderance were found. Conclusions Dietary risk factors for NCDs increased significantly and varied across regions during 1990-2019. Therefore, greater efforts are needed to raise public awareness of interventions and improve dietary practices aiming to reduce the disease burden caused by suboptimal dietary intake, especially in developing countries and among males.

Automated summary

The study found that in 2019, 7.9 million people died from dietary risk factors, with high sodium intake and low intake of whole grains and fruits being the leading dietary risks globally.