Temporal Trends in Obesity-Related Mortality Rates: An Analysis of Gender, Race/Ethnicity, and Geographic Disparities in the United States

Curr Probl Cardiol. 2024 Jan;49(1 Pt C):102108. doi: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2023.102108. Epub 2023 Sep 29.

Abstract

Obesity is a global public health concern linked to premature death and an increased burden of noncommunicable diseases. This study aims to assess obesity-related mortality rates and temporal trends in the United States. We investigate variations by gender, ethnicity, and state-level demographics using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention WONDER database spanning 1999 to 2021. We identified 124,076 obesity-related deaths, with a mean age-adjusted mortality rate (AAMR) of 2.7 per 100,000 population. AAMRs increased over time, with the highest rises observed in non-Hispanic Black/African American and American Indian/Alaska Native populations, and among males. Certain states showed higher AAMRs. These findings underscore racial disparities in obesity-related mortality and the need for further research to address these disparities.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Ethnicity*
  • Health Status Disparities
  • Humans
  • Mortality, Premature
  • Obesity* / mortality
  • Racial Groups*
  • United States / epidemiology