Extreme obesity may cut lifespan by up to 14 years
Updated: 2014-07-10 10:12
(English.news.cn)
|
||||||||
Fast food often increses the risk of cancer and heart disease. [Photo/IC] |
Adults who are extremely obese may cut their lives short by up to 14 years because they have increased risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and kidney and liver diseases, according to a U.S. study out Tuesday.
The findings, published in the U.S. journal PLOS Medicine, were based on an analysis of data pooled from 20 large studies of people from the United States, Sweden and Australia.
"While once a relatively uncommon condition, the prevalence of class III, or extreme, obesity is on the rise. In the United States, for example, 6 percent of adults are now classified as extremely obese," lead author Cari Kitahara of the U.S. National Cancer Institute said in a statement. "Prior to our study, little had been known about the risk of premature death associated with extreme obesity."
After excluding individuals who had ever smoked or had a history of certain diseases, the researchers studied more than 9, 500 individuals who were extremely obese and 304,000 others who were classified as normal weight.
The researchers found that the risk of dying overall and from most major health causes rose continuously with increasing body mass index (BMI) within the class III obesity group.
On average, years of life lost ranged from 6.5 years for participants with a BMI of 40 to 44.9 to 13.7 years for a BMI of 55 to 59.9, they said. The loss of life by the extremely obese was equal or higher than that of current cigarette smokers among normal-weight participants in the same study.
The BMI is a measure of total body fat and is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared. A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered normal. A BMI between 25 and 29.9 is overweight, a BMI between 30 and 39.9 is considered obese while a BMI over 40 is considered extremely obese.
The researchers noted the results highlight the need to develop more effective interventions to combat the growing public health problem of extreme obesity.
"Given our findings, it appears that class III obesity is increasing and may soon emerge as a major cause of early death in this and other countries worldwide," senior author Patricia Hartge of the U.S. National Cancer Institute said.
- Star Stefanie Sun holds concert in Beijing
- Faye Wong's manager refutes star's drug rumors
- Lu Yi and daughter Bei Er pose for street snaps
- Photoshoots of actress Li Xiaomeng
- Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards
- Fan Bingbing, first Chinese actress in Barbie Hall of Fame
- Awarding ceremony of 2014 hito Pop Music held in Taipei
- Zhao Liying's photo shoot for Children's Day
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Xi attends BRICS summit |
China helps fight international war on drugs |
Crackdown on terrorist attacks |
My China Story: Meeting the master |
Tongues tied around tatu-bola |
A market that's not such a hot property |
Today's Top News
Ex-security chief Zhou Yongkang under probe
Prudence urged over solar dispute
US visa delays likely to continue
McDonald's fishing for supplier
OSI group to fund food safety
China's FDI in US set for increase
Glitch delays visas for US-bound students
A musical spoof of the Clinton years
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |