Mortality attributable to overweight and obesity in Argentina: comparison between 2005 and 2009

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to compare mortality attributable to overweight and obesity in Argentina between the years 2005 and 2009, in adults ages 20 and older, by sex and age group. Secondary data were used: The last National Risk Factors Survey (NRFS) of 2005 and 2009, and mortality statistics. Mortality attributable to overweight and obesity was estimated using the prevalence dependent method, based on the calculation of the population attributable fraction (PAF). To determine the impact on life expectancy, years of life expectancy lost (YLEL) were calculated. The main results indicate that in 2005, 5.2% of deaths among men and 6.1% of deaths among women were attributable to overweight and obesity; in 2009, it decreased to 4.9% and 5.5%, respectively. In 2009, for both sexes, there was a decline in deaths due to cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, while deaths from cancer have increased. YLEL attributable to weight excess were 0.33 years in 2005 and 0.30 years in 2009 for women; and 0.45 years in 2005 and 0.43 years in 2009 for men. By age group, an increase of YLEL attributable to overweight and obesity was found. In contrast to the initial hypothesis, it was not observed an increase in mortality attributable to overweight and obesity between 2005 and 2009 in Argentina, but an increase at among the youth was noted.

Keywords:
Mortality; Obesity; Chronic Diseases; Life Expectancy