In a study report published in the journal The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, researchers found out that the life expectancy of people who are obese are reduced by 8 years. Obesity make people live a longer life by nearly a decade because of poor health, Type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
The researchers are from the McGill University in Canada and they said that the conditions associated with obesity can reduce the life expectancy or increase the years spent with disability.
The researchers used a computer model to calculate the predisposing factors of chronic disease and the impact of weight on the life expectancy of obese people compared to those who are in their 40s and 50s and who are healthy.
They found out those men who are obese lost 3.7 years of their life expectancy while obese women lost 5.3 years. While those who are in their sixties and seventies with obesity have lost only one year of life. But they are faced with many years (seven) of poor health or disability.
Hence, they concluded that the younger the obese person, the worse they will experience. In a study involving 20 to 39 years old, severely obese men lost approximately 8.4 years compared to those who are healthy and women lost 6.1 years of their longevity. For their poor health, men would spend 18.8 years of poor health while women will have 19.1 years of disability or poor health.
Dr Steven Grover said that the pattern is clear. "The more an individual weighs and the younger their age, the greater the effect on their health, as they have many years ahead of them during which the increased health risks associated with obesity can negatively impact their lives, he added.
They added that regardless of age or size, the study shows the importance of maintaining a healthy body weight to prevent long term disease and illness. Modifying the lifestyle is essential to stay healthy.