Introduction

High body mass index (BMI) is a well-established and modifiable risk factor that significantly contributes to cancer-related morbidity and mortality. In the United States, the prevalence of obesity surged between 1990 and 2021, rising by 123.6% in males and 99.9% in females, underscoring a growing public health crisis.This study aims to examine the burden of high BMI-related hematological cancer deaths in the United States of America (USA) and its states.

Method:

We analyzed data from 1990 to 2021 using the Global Health Data Exchange 2021 database, a comprehensive repository of global health and demographic metrics. High body mass index (BMI) is identified as a risk factor in the database. We reported the percentage of deaths of neoplasms associated with high BMI in the USA along with the 95% uncertainty interval (UI) and estimated annual percentage change (APC) to analyze mortality trends. In this dataset, Population attributable fractions (PAFs) were calculated to estimate the proportion of neoplasm deaths attributable to high BMI and were applied to total neoplasm deaths to derive attributable mortality. PAFs and APCs were calculated using methods previously described by GBD collaborators (Brauer et al.)

Result:

In 2021, in the USA, the estimated number of deaths attributable to high BMI was 3,848 for leukemia, 2,170 for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and 1,935 for multiple myeloma. At the same year, the estimated percentage of deaths attributable to high body-mass index (BMI) was 12.61% (95% UI: 9.46%, 15.58%) for leukemia, 7.75% (95% UI: 2.49%, 13.01%) for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and 11.22% (95% UI: -5.18%, 27.53%) for multiple myeloma. From 1990 to 2021, in the United States, the percentage of deaths attributable to high BMI increased by 34.40% (95% UI: 23.81%, 55.47%) for multiple myeloma, 28.22% (95% UI: 20.62%, 34.22%) for leukemia, and 32.80% (95% UI: 23.60%, 40.34%) for non-Hodgkin lymphoma

In 2021, the top three U.S. states with the highest percentage of hematological malignancy related deaths attributable to high BMI were leukemia associated deaths in West Virginia (13.47%, 95% UI: 10.09%–16.67%), Nebraska (13.21%, 95% UI: 9.84%–16.27%), and Iowa (13.19%, 95% UI: 9.85%–16.40%). From 1990 to 2021, high BMI-related hematological malignancy deaths increased across all the USA states. The highest increases were observed in Oklahoma, with a 47.60% rise for multiple myeloma and 46.69% for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In contrast, the lowest increases were noted in the District of Columbia, with 17.95% for multiple myeloma and 19.91% for leukemia.

Conclusion

In conclusion, high BMI is a significant and growing contributor to hematological cancer mortality in the United States of America. From 1990 to 2021, the percentage of deaths attributable to high BMI increased markedly, by 34.40% for multiple myeloma, 32.80% for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and 28.22% for leukemia. Geographic disparities were notable. These findings underscore the importance of integrating obesity prevention and weight management strategies into national cancer control programs.

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2025
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