Home News Overweight Linked to Over 9,500 Deaths in Belgium, Study Finds

Study Links Overweight to Over 9,500 Deaths in Belgium

Aug 7, 2026
52 min
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Aug 7, 2026 13:30
Overweight linked to 9,509 deaths in Belgium, study reveals

## Alarming Statistics from Sciensano

A recent study by Belgian research institute Sciensano has revealed that being overweight was linked to 9,509 deaths in Belgium in 2022. This figure represents 8.2% of all deaths in the country for that year, equating to more than one death every hour.

## Major Health Risks

The study identified heart disease as the leading cause of death associated with high body mass index (BMI), accounting for 2,009 deaths. Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia were responsible for 1,652 deaths, while cerebrovascular diseases accounted for 1,171 deaths.

## Age and Gender Disparities

The data showed that deaths related to overweight increased with age, with the highest rates among those aged 65 and over. Men generally had higher death rates than women, except in the over-85 age group, where women had a longer life expectancy.

## Regional Variations

There were notable regional differences in death rates. Wallonia had the highest rate at 95.21 deaths per 100,000 people, followed by Brussels at 85, and Flanders at 73.60.

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