Assessing the Health Impact of Low Seafood Omega-3 Intake on Ischemic Heart Disease: Trends, Demographic Disparities, and Forecasts

Abstract Background The burden of ischemic heart disease (IHD) due to low intake of seafood omega-3 fatty acids is a major global health concern, particularly impacting mortality and disability rates. Understanding these trends and demographic variations offers insights for targeted public health interventions. Methods This study used data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database to analyze the IHD burden attributable to low omega-3 intake across 204 countries from 1990 to 2021, stratified by age, sex, and region. Key metrics included deaths, DALYs, YLDs, and YLLs. Joinpoint regression and ARIMA modeling were used to assess trends and project future burden through 2035. Results Globally, IHD-related deaths due to low omega-3 intake rose from 500,154 in 1990 to 627,342 in 2021, with the age-standardized death rate declining from 13.94 to 7.49 per 100,000. DALYs increased from 13 million in 1990 to over 15 million in 2021, though the age-standardized DALY rate dropped from 322.93 to 181.07 per 100,000. Regional disparities were significant; North Africa and the Middle East had a 2021 death rate of 18.76 per 100,000, compared to 2.74 per 100,000 in high-income regions. Age and sex stratification revealed that older populations and males bear a higher burden. Projections indicate a stable or rising trend in low-SDI regions through 2035. Conclusion This study highlights a substantial global burden of IHD linked to low omega-3 intake, with significant regional and demographic disparities. Increasing omega-3 intake, especially in high-burden regions, could help to mitigate future IHD impacts.