S787 Obesity and Gastroenterology: National Trends in Mortality and Demographics Among US Adults (1999–2022)

Introduction: Obesity is a global health epidemic, driving the prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and cancer. Its impact on the gastrointestinal (GI) system is profound, contributing to conditions like metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and colorectal cancer. The rising rates of obesity present escalating challenges for healthcare systems. Methods: We analyzed mortality linked to obesity and gastrointestinal diseases in adults ≥25 years using CDC-WONDER data from 1999–2022. Obesity was identified using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes E66.0–E66.2, E66.8, and E66.9; gastrointestinal diseases using K00–K92. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) were based on the 2000 U.S. standard population. Temporal trends were assessed via Joinpoint regression. Mortality was stratified by age, race/ethnicity, gender, urbanization, and geographic region. Results: Between 1999 and 2022, there were 61,927,317 deaths in the US, with 4,900,955 (7.91%) GI-related and 831,822 (1.34%) obesity-related. A total of 67,042 deaths were linked to both obesity and GI diseases as underlying causes, with an overall age-adjusted mortality rate (AAMR) of 1.22. Age stratification showed the lowest mortality rate in young adults (25–44) at 0.50, rising to 1.58 in middle-aged adults (45–64), and peaking at 2.26 in those aged 65 and older. Gender analysis showed women had an AAMR of 1.20, while men had a slightly higher rate of 1.23. Racial and ethnic disparities were evident: non-Hispanic White individuals had the highest AAMR at 1.29, followed by non-Hispanic Black individuals at 1.25, and Hispanic/Latino individuals at 1.13. Rural areas had a higher AAMR (1.42) compared to urban areas (1.06). Regionally, the West had the highest AAMR at 1.54, followed by the Midwest (1.24), South (1.18), and Northeast (0.90). States with the highest AAMR included Vermont (2.8), Oklahoma (2.4), Wyoming (1.96), Minnesota (1.83), and Colorado (1.83). Conclusion: Men, Non-Hispanic Whites, and the elderly exhibited higher mortality rates, with rural areas having higher AAMR than urban areas. Regionally, the West recorded the highest mortality rates, with notable state-level variations, including Vermont and Oklahoma leading. These findings highlight the growing impact of obesity on GI-related mortality, emphasizing the need for targeted prevention and intervention strategies in high-risk populations.