The burden of dietary risk factors in the Nordic and Baltic countries: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023

Summary

Background

Detailed knowledge about the disease burden from unhealthy diet in Nordic and Baltic countries is lacking. This study quantifies and compares deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) from dietary risks in these countries.

Methods

Data from the Global Burden of Disease study 2023 (GBD 2023) was used. Attributable disease burden from 15 dietary risks was analysed using the comparative risk assessment framework. Steps included: (1) estimating dietary intake; (2) assessing relative risks of dietary factors on disease endpoints; (3) determining theoretical minimum risk exposure levels (TMREL); and (4) estimating dietary risk-attributable disease burden as numbers and age-standardised rates (ASR) of deaths and DALYs.

Findings

Across the Nordic and Baltic countries (total population = 34,064,020), dietary risks resulted in 38,450 attributed deaths (95% uncertainty interval 10,749–59,386) and 735,284 DALYs (242,417–1,06,638) in 2023. Leading dietary risks included high intake of processed meat and low intake of fruits and whole grains. Dietary risks accounted for 24.9% of cardiovascular disease burden (5.0–37.6), 29.6% of diabetes and kidney disease burden (18.6–40.0), and 7.8% of neoplasm burden (2.9–12.1), with higher burden in the Baltic countries and Greenland than in the Nordic countries.

Interpretation

A substantial disease burden can be attributed to dietary risks in the Nordic and Baltic countries. Knowledge about the impact from unhealthy diet can inform targeted public health policies.

Funding

Gates Foundation and Norwegian Institute of Public Health.