ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Nutr.
Sec. Nutritional Epidemiology
This article is part of the Research TopicThe role of Lipids in Relation to Preventing Inflammation and Chronic DiseasesView all 10 articles
Impact of Diets High in Trans-Fatty Acids on Cardiovascular Diseases in Adults Aged 55 and Older: Insights from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 Data
Provisionally accepted
- 1Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- 2The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Wuhan, China
- 3General Hospital of Central Theater Command Department of Neurosurgery, Wuhan, China
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Background: High trans-fatty acid (TFA) intake is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), especially in older adults. This study aimed to assess global trends and health inequalities in CVD burden attributable to high TFA intake from 1990 to 2021 and project future patterns through 2036. Methods: Using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021, we analyzed age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR), disability-adjusted life years (ASDR), and inequality indicators across 204 countries and territories. Age-Period-Cohort (APC) models and Bayesian projections were applied to estimate future trends. Results: Globally, ASMR and ASDR attributable to high TFA intake declined by 69% and 68%, respectively, from 1990 to 2021. The most significant reductions were observed in high-SDI regions, where comprehensive TFA bans and public health policies were implemented. In contrast, the absolute burden remains high in low-and middle-SDI countries due to limited policy enforcement and dietary interventions. Socioeconomic inequalities narrowed over time, but vulnerable populations still face elevated risks. Projections indicate a continued global decline in CVD burden attributable to TFA through 2036, though widening uncertainties reflect demographic and policy challenges. Conclusions: While global progress in reducing TFA-related CVD burden is evident, persistent disparities and emerging risks in low-resource settings underscore the need for global elimination of industrial TFA, strengthened health systems, and targeted strategies to protect high-risk groups.
Keywords: cardiovascular disease, Global burden of disease, health inequality, High trans-fatty acid, socioeconomic disparities
Received: 08 Aug 2025; Accepted: 16 Feb 2026.
Copyright: © 2026 Ye, Wu, Ren, Chen, Xiang and Jia. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Jishi Ye
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