Low physical activity-related disease burden, 1990–2021: assessment of global trends and social determinants based on GBD 2021 data
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Background: Low physical activity (LPA) is associated with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular pathologies. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of several noncommunicable diseases relating to LPA. Methods: Using the 2021 Global Burden of Disease data set, we modelled LPA-related disease burdens across 204 countries and territories, quantifying mortality counts, age-standardised mortality rates, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for five noncommunicable diseases. We conducted multivariable stratification analyses to assess variations by gender, age, and sociodemographic index (SDI) quintiles. We used age-period-cohort modelling to project burden trajectories, while applying counterfactual decomposition frameworks to delineate synergistic interactions between LPA and risk factors. Results: We found that LPA accounted for 555 101 related deaths globally in 2021 across the five studied pathologies, mostly among individuals aged 60-94 years. Association between LPA-related disease burden and SDI followed a U-shaped distribution across regions and diseases. Among individuals aged 60-89 years, LPA-related deaths were significantly higher in women than in men, indicating a disproportionate burden on elderly females. Ischaemic heart disease (IHD) trends stabilised in low- and middle-SDI regions but declined significantly in high-SDI regions, underscoring global health disparities. From 2007 to 2011, LPA DALYs and mortality risk ratios for IHD, stroke, and lower extremity peripheral arterial disease declined from >1 to <1, whereas diabetes mellitus exhibited an opposite trend, highlighting LPA's persistent and significant impact on diabetes-related morbidity. Demographic shifts and epidemiological transitions were primary drivers of LPA-related disease burden across five pathologies. In high-SDI regions, epidemiological changes predominated, whereas population growth was a key factor in low- and middle-SDI regions. Synergistic interaction of these factors with LPA is projected to substantially amplify future disease burden. Conclusions: Physical activity should be increased among elderly women to address health risks associated with LPA. Likewise, urgent public health interventions are needed for LPA-related diabetes. As IHD burden rises in low- and middle-SDI regions, vascular disease care strategies require optimisation. Moreover, high-SDI regions should strengthen nationwide physical activity promotion, while low- and middle-SDI areas must enhance healthcare infrastructure and manage population growth to reduce LPA-related disease burdens.
Source: Journal of Global Health
Authors: Hao Liu, Zhenhao Liu, Yanqing Gong, Jingbin Guo, Xin Liu, Yu Sun, Weiming Tang, Weibin Cheng, Wen Jin
Language: English
Topic: Physical Activity and Health
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,200
Funders: David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, American Heart Association, National Park Foundation, China Medical Board, Pfizer, Irma T. Hirschl Trust, Naito Foundation, Takeda Science Foundation, Florida International University, Novartis Foundation, Uehara Memorial Foundation, Vehicle Racing Commemorative Foundation, Wellcome Trust, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Génome Québec, Arnold Ventures, Rainforest Trust, Health Commission of Hunan Province, Health Commission of Hubei Province, Zhejiang Office of Philosophy and Social Science, Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, European Commission, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Chungnam National University, Dalhousie University, Korea International Cooperation Agency, Kyushu University, Sapienza Università di Roma, Vetenskapsrådet, Mitsubishi Foundation, Sydäntutkimussäätiö, Foundation for Promotion of Cancer Research, Politecnico di Milano, Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province, Northern Borders University, Sosiaali- ja Terveysministeriö, SENSHIN Medical Research Foundation, Princess Takamatsu Cancer Research Fund, Tokai University, Japan Foundation, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo, Garry Hurvitz Centre for Brain and Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Agricultural Research Service, Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, Bayer Canada, National Outstanding Youth Science Fund Project of National Natural Science Foundation of China, Gruppo Nazionale per il Calcolo Scientifico, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Fonds de Recherche du Québec - Santé, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Strategic Research Council, Nationaal Regieorgaan Praktijkgericht Onderzoek SIA, Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Program, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Initiative for Innovative Medicine, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Integrative Organismal Systems, Division of Environmental Biology, National Institute of Justice, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research, HORIZON EUROPE Digital, Industry and Space, European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership, Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province, Chemo-Sero-Therapeutic Research Institute, Harold Alfond Foundation
Award: G2748654236
OpenAlex ID: W4416999475