BRUSSELS / RankWire.AI / – The public health institute Sciensano has issued Belgium’s inaugural detailed assessment of deaths associated with obesity, estimating that 9,509 lives were lost in 2022—representing 8.2 percent of all fatalities nationwide—due to a body mass index considered excessively high. With this figure, more than one person per hour succumbed to weight-related health issues, which also led to over 150,000 years of life lost across the country, establishing a new benchmark for health policy planning in Belgium.
The comprehensive epidemiological study analyzed the underlying causes of death to understand how a raised body mass index influences chronic health conditions. The results identified cardiovascular diseases as the leading cause of death, with coronary heart diseases accounting for 2,009 fatalities. Neurodegenerative illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, were the second most common, linked to 1,652 deaths. Cerebrovascular diseases contributed to 1,171 deaths, alongside notable figures from chronic kidney disease and various digestive cancers.
The demographic analysis within the dataset demonstrates that the risk of mortality related to excess weight markedly increases with age. People aged 65 and older experienced the highest incidence of health issues associated with overweight. A gender comparison shows that mortality rates for men surpassed those for women across most age groups; however, among individuals aged 85 and above, women’s total death counts were higher, a pattern attributed to women’s longer average lifespan according to epidemiologists.
Data Highlights Elevated Risk in Individuals Over Sixty-Five
Regional analysis across Belgium uncovered significant geographic differences in obesity-related death rates. The southern region of Wallonia recorded the highest mortality rate, with 95.21 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. The Brussels-Capital Region followed with a rate of 85 deaths per 100,000 residents. Meanwhile, Flanders showed the lowest impact, with 73.60 deaths per 100,000 people. Analysts suggest these regional disparities are influenced by socioeconomic factors, dietary habits, and healthcare accessibility differences across the Belgian federation.
The release of this data aligns with ongoing policy reviews led by the Federal Public Service Health, responsible for the country’s health strategies. Public health authorities are using these insights to evaluate the long-term economic effects of chronic non-communicable diseases on the healthcare system. The researchers employed a comparative risk assessment approach, calculating the population attributable fraction for each disease to set baseline figures for future preventive measures.
Cerebrovascular Disease Emerges as Third Leading Cause of Death
At the European level, organizations like the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control monitor similar metabolic risk factors to coordinate policies across regions. The Belgian findings are consistent with broader EU health objectives aimed at lowering early deaths from non-communicable illnesses. The World Health Organization continues to advocate for integrated multi-sector strategies that include public education, nutritional labeling, and early clinical interventions to address metabolic risks.
These findings provide an empirical basis for health authorities aiming to reduce high body mass index prevalence throughout Western Europe. By quantifying both total mortality and years of life lost, policymakers can better target screening, intervention, and lifestyle modification efforts. As the regional analysis progresses, the overall health policy framework at the national level is expected to emphasize early prevention to decrease the prevalence of chronic diseases across Belgium.