Live
- Opposition INDIA bloc working on 'one year, one PM' formula: PM Modi
- Delhi HC quashes FIR for outraging woman's modesty, orders man to assist Traffic Police for a month as settlement
- 'Apologise to families of farmers who committed suicide in Vidarbha', Amit Shah dares Sharad Pawar
- SC Collegium recommends appointment of a permanent judge in Chhattisgarh HC, extension of term of two judges
- U20 Men's football nationals: Telangana, Sikkim earn full points with easy win
- SEBI probes 2 funds for shorting Adani stocks before Hindenburg
- Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan visits Prashanti Nilayam
- All people should Co-operate for free and fair elections
- "Audiences in the South will appreciate a story that smashes the stereotype of weak and meek women," says Yatin Karyekar
- Family is the biggest motivator for 78% women entrepreneurs in tier II, III cities; finds Tide’s survey
Obesity may cut lifespan by up to 8 years
Being overweight and obese can potentially decrease life expectancy of individuals by up to eight years, says an alarming study, adding that being overweight could be as bad as cigarette smoking.
Toronto: Being overweight and obese can potentially decrease life expectancy of individuals by up to eight years, says an alarming study, adding that being overweight could be as bad as cigarette smoking. “In terms of life-expectancy, we feel being overweight is as bad as cigarette smoking,” said lead author Steven Grover, professor of medicine at McGill University in Canada.
What is more, the study demonstrates that obese and overweight individuals may also develop diabetes or cardiovascular disease, earlier in life and this excess weight can rob them of nearly two decades of healthy life. “Our team has developed a computer model to help doctors and their patients better understand how excess body weight contributes to reduced life expectancy and premature development of heart disease and diabetes,” Grover said.
The researchers used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (from years 2003 to 2010) from almost 4,000 individuals. Their findings estimated that individuals who were very obese could lose up to eight years of life, obese individuals could lose up to six years, and those who were overweight could lose up to three years.
Additionally, healthy life-years lost were two to four times higher for overweight and obese individuals compared to those who had a healthy weight, defined as 18.5-25 body mass index (BMI). “The pattern is clear - the more an individual weighs and the younger their age, the greater the effect on their health,” Grover added.
The study was published in the journal The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology.
