Researchers performed a global analysis of the Global Burden of Disease data (1990–2021) and found that, despite declines in age-standardized incidence and mortality, asthma remains highly prevalent. Estimates from 2021 include approximately 37 million new cases and 21.4 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), with burden concentrated in children (0–14 years) and older adults (55–74 years). Joinpoint trends and a decomposition analysis indicate that most increases in DALYs stem from demographic shifts—population growth and aging. Frontier analysis shows high-socio-demographic index (SDI) regions reduced burden more effectively than others. Patterns were broadly similar by sex, but absolute burden remained higher in lower-SDI settings.
Across regions, rising obesity has expanded the at-risk population. High body mass index (BMI) emerged as the leading risk factor for asthma-attributable DALYs—ranking first in high-SDI regions and, since the late 2010s, in low-SDI regions as well. Complementary National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2021–2023) analyses showed higher BMI among people with asthma (31.2 vs 29.4; P<0.001), and adjusted models linked obesity to asthma onset/progression (adjusted odds ratio 1.41; 95% confidence interval 1.17–1.68). The authors recommend embedding weight management into pediatric and adult asthma guidelines, with routine BMI screening and referral to lifestyle or pharmacologic obesity treatments where appropriate.
Reference: Zheng W, Fan X, Guan J, et al. Obesity as the predominant contributor to asthma burden: insights from GBD and NHANES analyses. BMC Public Health. 2025 Sep 30;25:3155. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-24397-2.
Link: https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-025-24397-2
