BRUSSELS / RankWire.AI / – A significant public health revelation from Belgian research institute Sciensano indicates that in 2022, a body mass index (BMI) considered excessively high was linked to 9,509 deaths. This figure represents 8.2 percent of all fatalities in Belgium for that year, translating to a mortality rate of over one death per hour related to weight-related health issues. For the first time, researchers assessed population-wide BMI mortality, concluding that conditions associated with obesity led to more than 150,000 years of life lost cumulatively.
The extensive epidemiological study explored underlying causes of death to understand how increased BMI contributes to chronic illnesses. Findings pointed to cardiovascular problems as the main cause of death, with coronary heart diseases responsible for 2,009 fatalities. Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer disease and other dementias, accounted for 1,652 deaths, making them the second largest category. Cerebrovascular diseases were involved in 1,171 deaths, along with notable contributions from chronic kidney disease and various digestive cancers.
Analysis based on demographics reveals that the risk of death associated with higher weight rises considerably with age. The highest concentration of weight-related health issues was observed among those aged 65 and older. When examining gender differences, mortality rates for males surpassed those for females across most age groups. However, for individuals aged 85 and above, women recorded higher total death numbers, which epidemiologists attribute to longer average life expectancy among females.
Regional Variations Highlight Cardiovascular Disease as Leading Cause of Weight-Related Deaths
Mapping the data across Belgium reveals stark regional differences in mortality rates linked to obesity. The southern region of Wallonia displayed the highest death rate, at 95.21 per 100,000 residents. The Brussels-Capital Region followed, with an age-standardized rate of 85 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. Flanders had the lowest impact, with 73.60 deaths per 100,000 people. Experts note that these disparities likely reflect socioeconomic, dietary, and healthcare access variations across Belgium’s regions.
This data release coincides with policy reviews overseen by the Federal Public Service Health, which manages national health strategies. Public health authorities are using these insights to evaluate the long-term economic strain on healthcare caused by chronic non-communicable diseases. The researchers employed a comparative risk assessment method, calculating the population attributable fraction for each disease, to establish baseline estimates that will inform future preventive health measures.
Dementia and Alzheimer Disease Responsible for Over Sixteen Hundred Deaths
At the European level, health institutions such as the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control monitor similar metabolic risk factors to coordinate regional policy responses. The Belgian report aligns with broader European Union health objectives aimed at decreasing early mortality from non-communicable diseases. The World Health Organization continues to recommend integrated, multi-sectoral approaches to reduce metabolic risk factors, emphasizing public education, nutritional labeling, and early clinical interventions.
These findings provide an empirical basis for health authorities aiming to lower high BMI prevalence across Western Europe. By quantifying total deaths and years of life lost, public health planners can better allocate resources toward screening, intervention initiatives, and lifestyle management programs. As regional authorities analyze this data, it is expected that federal health policies will increasingly focus on early preventive care to curb the prevalence of chronic diseases nationwide.
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