Black adults had the highest death rates from obesity-related cardiovascular disease from 1999 to 2020, and black women had the highest rates, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. there were.
Research highlights:
- Obesity-related cardiovascular disease deaths tripled in the United States between 1999 and 2020
- These mortality rates were higher among blacks than among other racial groups (highest among black women), followed by American Indian/Alaska Natives.
- Black adults living in urban communities die more from obesity-related cardiovascular disease than Black adults living in rural areas, while the opposite is true for all other racial groups. .
Embargoed until Wednesday, September 6, 2023, 4:00 a.m. CT/5:00 a.m. ET
DALLAS, September 6, 2023 — Obesity-related deaths from heart disease recently tripled in the United States between 1999 and 2020, according to a new study published in today’s newspaper. American Heart Association Journalan open-access peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.
“The number of obese people is increasing in every country around the world. Our study is the first to demonstrate that this increased burden of obesity is linked to increased deaths from heart disease.” said study lead author Dr. Zahra Raisi Establa, a cardiologist and clinical lecturer at the William Harvey Institute in London. “This rising trend in obesity is impacting some people more than others, especially Black women.”
Obesity remains a global public health crisis and a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It now affects approximately 42% of the U.S. population, almost 10% more than before.
According to the American Heart Association’s 2023 statistics, this is the trend over the past 10 years.
Researchers analyzed race, gender, and urban versus rural settings to uncover differences in heart disease deaths, with obesity cited as a contributing factor. Some of the findings include:
- Overall, obesity-related cardiovascular disease deaths tripled between 1999 and 2020, from 2.2 to 6.6 per 100,000 people.
- Deaths from obesity-related cardiovascular disease were higher among blacks compared to other racial groups, at 6.7 deaths per 100,000 people. This is followed by American Indian or Alaska Native adults at 3.8 per 100,000 people.
- Black women had the highest death rates from obesity-related heart disease than other women in the study. Among other racial groups, men had more obesity-related heart disease deaths than women.
- Black adults living in urban areas had higher mortality rates from obesity-related heart disease than Black adults living in rural areas (6.8 vs. 5.9 deaths per 100,000 people), but those living in rural areas had a higher rate of death from obesity-related heart disease than black adults living in rural areas. Mortality rates from heart disease related to obesity were high in the population. other racial groups.
“The trend toward higher obesity-related cardiovascular mortality among black women than among men was significant and different from all other racial groups considered in our study,” said lead author Mamas. – said A. Mamas, MD, PhD. Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at Keele University, Kiel, UK.
Additionally, Raisi-Estabaugh notes that Black people living in urban communities may be more affected by socioeconomic poverty and health disparities than Black people living in rural areas; He pointed out that they have not benefited from the supposed increase in access to medical care. People of other racial groups living in urban areas.
Research details and background:
- Researchers analyzed data on 281,135 deaths collected from 1999 to 2020. This data records obesity as a contributing factor in the Multiple Cause of Death database, which includes mortality rates and population counts for every county in the United States.
- Of the deaths, 43.6% were women. 78.1% of the group were Caucasian adults. 19.8% were Black adults. 1.1% were Asian or Pacific Islander adults, and 1% were American Indian or Alaska Native adults.
The researchers note that coding and data entry errors may be a limitation of their findings, as the source was an electronic medical record and researchers could not verify accuracy. However, the results still highlight the need to more effectively address obesity in individuals and communities.
Co-authors, their disclosure information, and research funding sources are listed in the manuscript.
The study, published in the scientific journal of the American Heart Association, is peer-reviewed. The statements and conclusions in each manuscript are solely the opinions of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of the Society. The Association makes no representations or warranties regarding its accuracy or reliability. The association is primarily funded by individuals. Foundations and corporations (including pharmaceuticals, device manufacturers, and other companies) also make contributions, which help fund specific programs and events for the association. The Society has strict policies in place to ensure that these relationships do not influence scientific content. Revenues from pharmaceutical companies, biotech companies, device manufacturers, health insurance companies, and overall financial information for the association can be found here.
Additional resources:
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association works tirelessly to help the world live longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with thousands of organizations and the power of millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for public health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has served as a leading source of health information for nearly a century. heart.org, Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter) Or call 1-800-AHA-USA1.
###
Media inquiries and AHA/ASA expert opinion: 214-706-1173
Bridgette McNeill: 214-706-1135; Bridgette.mcneill@heart.org
General inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
