Obesity Increases Chances of Early Death

Reuters HealthDay reported on 08/23/06 on an article in the August 24, 2006 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine on the relationship of obesity and longevity. Everyone is aware, or should be aware, of the health risks associated with obesity, but a new study affirms the observation that obese people die young at significantly higher rates than people of normal weight.

Leitzmann's team found that people who were overweight when they were 50 had a 20 percent to 40 percent increased risk of dying prematurely. For those who were obese, the risk of premature death was two to three times that of normal-weight people. "That translates into a 200 to 300 percent increase in the risk of premature death," Leitzmann said.

The researchers did not look at specific causes of death, but Leitzmann said the primary causes of premature death in this group were heart disease and cancer.

The advice to reduce the risk of premature death is obvious. "People need to maintain a normal weight throughout adulthood and avoid developing excess weight," Leitzmann said. "And if you are overweight or obese, lose the excess weight."

I am obese and have been for 30 years. This morning 08/25/06 I weighed 266 down from 286 on July 14. My goal is 185. I am 60 and want to live into my 90s. So the fat has got to go.

Link: MedlinePlus: Obesity Increases Chances of Early Death.

Comments

[Moegurl]

20 pounds! That's great, dad - congratulations! Keep up the good work. We are very proud of you!