Based on the analysis of 22717 sources, we estimated disease burden attributable to 84 metabolic, environmental, occupational, and behavioural risk factors or clusters of risks from 1990 to 2016 in 195 countries and territories. In 2016, all risks combined contributed to 59·9% (58·4–61·3) of deaths and 45·2% (43·2–47·3) of DALYs worldwide, compared with 60·3% (59·0–61·6) of deaths and 49·6% (47·6–51·7) of DALYs in 1990. The role of changes in risk factors in explaining changes in deaths and DALYs varies considerably across causes and ages, with the largest effects noted in children due to infectious diseases. Since 1990, exposure increased significantly for 30 risks, did not change significantly for four risks, and decreased significantly for 31 risks. The risks with the highest increases in SEVs include high body-mass index, occupational exposure to diesel engine exhaust, and occupational exposure to trichloroethylene, while the risks with the largest decreases in exposure are diet high in transfatty acids, household air pollution from solid fuels, and unsafe sanitation.
