Surge in bad health due to lifestyle choices, age: Study

Air pollution, smoking, low birthweight and short gestation were also among the largest contributors to disability-adjusted life years in 2021

The number of people experiencing poor health and early death caused by metabolism-related risk factors such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high BMI has increased by 50% since 2000, according to a new global study published on Thursday in The Lancet.

Despite global decreases, the disease burden from child and maternal malnutrition risk factors remained high in some parts of the world, such as sub-Saharan Africa. (AFP File Photo)

The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 provides new insights into health challenges and their driving risk factors.

An increase in people experiencing metabolic risk factors, such as high systolic blood