According to data from analysis of 20 different studies, severe obesity can shorten people’s lifespan by up to 14 years. A body mass index of more than 40, which experts rate as being extremely obese, can increase health risks including a higher chance of having cancer, diabetes, heart disease or stroke.
According to data from analysis of 20 different studies, severe obesity can shorten people’s lifespan by up to 14 years.
A body mass index of more than 40, which experts rate as being extremely obese, can increase health risks including a higher chance of having cancer, diabetes, heart disease or stroke.
The study also found that as a person’s weight increases, so does their risk for these types of health problems.
Cari Kitahara, lead investigator of the study from the U.S. National Cancer Institute is quoted as saying: “We found that the death rates in severely obese adults were about 2 point 5 times higher than in adults in the normal weight range.”
Similar to the detrimental health effects of smoking, the study found that people who were severely obese lived between six and a half to just under 14 years shorter than people of normal weight.
The study included information spanning 30 years from almost ten thousand severely obese people who didn’t’ smoke or have any chronic diseases, along with data from 304 thousand adults of normal weight.
Experts say that early prevention of obesity, rather than losing weight later is an important factor in maintaining health, including a longer life expectancy.
