Global cancer burden attributable to excess body weight, 1990 to 2021, decomposed by population size, aging, and epidemiological change
Authors' conclusion
The rising prevalence of EBW contributed to the global cancer burden, showing a significant birth cohort effect. High BMI was the top contributing factor to obesity-related cancers, surpassing other epidemiological risk factors.
Study context
- Population
- Global population, GBD 2021; 11 cancers attributable to high BMI, 1990–2021
- Outcome
- Cancer burden attributable to excess body weight (EBW) and its main source
- Follow-up
- 1990 to 2021
Methodological detailsjoinpoint regression, age-period-cohort model, decomposition analysis
- Joinpoint regression
- Age-period-cohort model
- Decomposition analysis
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Cancer burden attributable to high BMI
- High BMI top contributor to changes in cancer burden (share of all DALYs), particularly in high Sociodemographic Index (SDI) regions
- 15.96%
- Colorectal cancer DALYs due to high BMI
- 1,349,622
- Esophageal cancer DALYs due to high BMI
- 1,284,385
- Liver cancer DALYs due to high BMI
- 944,616
- Epidemiological changes in BMI contribution to rising DALY burden, postmenopausal breast cancer
- 7.88%
- Epidemiological changes in BMI contribution to rising DALY burden, liver cancer
- 49.20%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Global cancer burden attributable to excess body weight, 1990 to 2021, decomposed by population size, aging, and epidemiological change. Obesity (Silver Spring). Published 20 February 2025. doi:10.
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