Major temporal trends and age-related characteristics of obesity morbidity in Arkhangelsk region population

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a chronic disease that represents a significant risk factor of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases, as well as a primary contributor to disability. This condition affects individuals of all age groups, including children, which represents a particularly concerning trend. The incidence of obesity over multiple years has not been sufficiently studied in Russia. It is therefore pertinent to analyze the incidence of obesity over time in different age groups in order to identify the principal determining factors. AIM: To evaluate the main dynamic and age-related characteristics of obesity morbidity in the Arkhangelsk Region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, analytical, non-randomized study. The 1991–2022 changes in the primary obesity morbidity in the Arkhangelsk Region population was analyzed. The contribution of the incidence in different age groups to the total change in the primary morbidity and degree of chronification in the population was investigated. The extent of underreporting of obesity morbidity during the period of the pandemic was estimated. The study employed a variety of analytical techniques, including the use of standardized indicators, time series analysis, and index methods. RESULTS: Our findings revealed a consistent increase in the primary morbidity of obesity over the 1991–2006 period, followed by a subsequent decline. The overall primary morbidity demonstrated a 506.4% increase. The changes in the primary obesity morbidity across the population are most closely aligned with those observed in the 0- to 14-year-old age group. The substantial fluctuations in the primary morbidity among the overall population are associated with those observed in the older age groups. Obesity is a chronic disease, and the proportion of individuals who are chronically obese is increasing. It is estimated that the primary morbidity of obesity was underreported by 16.8% during the period of the pandemic. CONCLUSION: The analysis of the dynamic characteristics of the obesity morbidity allows for assuming its significant dependence on administrative factors, most notably on changes in diagnostic criteria. It is evident that there is an unmet need in the programs designed to report, treat, and prevent obesity, particularly in children, with the aim of reducing the cardiometabolic population burden and other risks. This is particularly pertinent in the context of the need to develop the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation and to protect health in the region.