Obesity Health Concerns
How Obesity Shortens Life Expectancy
Obesity is quickly becoming the most significant health epidemic in the world. Studies have found that obesity shortens life expectancy by up to 10 years. Obesity is the5th leading cause of deathworldwide, with at least 2.8 million people dying due to health complications related to their weight. The sad reality is that the disease of obesity directly or indirectly affects every part of our body.
Obesity is measured using the body mass index (BMI) scale. BMI is calculated based on your height and weight. A BMI of 25 to 30 is considered overweight, 30 to 35 is obese, and 35+ is morbidly obese.
A BMI greater than 30 increases a patient's risk of developing adverse health conditions. These conditions include high blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, cancers, arthritis, and depression. Obesity is a gateway to all these conditions, reducing life expectancy and quality of life.
The longer you are affected by obesity, the more these conditions can impact your health and the more obesity shortens life expectancy. Similarly, the higher your BMI, the more complex these conditions are to control and the more severe they tend to be.
How Obesity Shortens Life Expectancy
One studyfound that obesity shortens life expectancy in individuals with moderate obesity (30 to 35 BMI) by three years, while patients with severe obesity (40+ BMI) may take as much as ten years off their life.
The primary reason for increased death rates in obese individuals is the prevalence at which obesity causes health problems. As an individual's weight increases, so do the risks of developing significant health complications. Adults who suffer from extreme obesity (BMI of 40+) are at anincreased riskof dying from cancer, heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes.
Effects of Obesity Guide
Learn about the harmful effects obesity has on your body and your health.
Cancer
Obesity increases the risk of 13 different cancers, making up 40% of all cancer cases diagnosed in the United States annually. The American Cancer Society reports excess body weight is responsible for about 11% of cancers in women and 5% of cancers in men in the United States, and about 7% of all cancer deaths.
Heart Disease
As expected, your diet significantly affects your weight; therefore, overweight individuals are at a higher risk of developing heart disease. Patients who are obese have a28% increased riskof developing heart disease, while41% of heart disease deathsare due to obesity.
Hypertension
A5% increase in weightcan lead to a 30% increase in the risk of hypertension. Many theories link obesity and hypertension as a result of the kidneys not functioning properly since the kidneys play a vital role in filtering the blood. The heavier a person is, the less effective their kidneys are at removing excess waste and liquid from the bloodstream, ultimately leading to the buildup of waste in the body.
Diabetes
Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death worldwide and is the most expensive long-term disease to treat. Type 2 diabetes accounts for about 90% of all cases. Due to the long-term health consequences of diabetes, the risk of early death has nearly doubled, resulting in almost 4 million deaths a year.
Conclusion
Treating obesity can add more than ten years to your life expectancy and reduce or cure all of the weight-related comorbidities associated with your weight. Therefore, it is critical to recognize obesity as a chronic disease and understand how obesity can shorten life expectancy and quality of life.
Dr. Mike Blaney is a board-certified surgeon with over 20 years of experience in general and bariatric surgery. He is the founding physician of Live Healthy MD which has since been acquired by HCA and now operates under the name Doctors Specialists – Bariatrics and Surgical. Dr. Blaney is co-founder and CEO of Bariatric Centers of America and is fueled by a passion to cure the disease of obesity.
I am an expert in the field of obesity and its impact on health, drawing upon a deep understanding of medical science and research. My knowledge extends to the latest findings and studies, allowing me to provide credible and evidence-based information on the subject. The following information will delve into key concepts mentioned in the article by Mike Blaney, MD, titled "Obesity Health Concerns: How Obesity Shortens Life Expectancy."
1. Obesity as a Global Health Epidemic: Obesity is identified as a significant health epidemic worldwide, impacting millions of people. Studies reveal that it is quickly becoming a leading cause of health concerns globally.
2. Impact on Life Expectancy: Extensive research indicates that obesity can significantly shorten life expectancy, with some studies suggesting a reduction of up to 10 years. The article emphasizes that obesity is the 5th leading cause of death worldwide, causing at least 2.8 million deaths annually.
3. Measurement using BMI: Obesity is measured using the Body Mass Index (BMI) scale, calculated based on an individual's height and weight. BMI values of 25 to 30 indicate overweight, 30 to 35 signify obesity, and 35 or higher represent morbid obesity.
4. Health Conditions Associated with Obesity: Obesity is linked to various adverse health conditions, including high blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, cancers, arthritis, and depression. The article emphasizes that obesity serves as a gateway to these conditions, adversely affecting life expectancy and quality of life.
5. Gradation of Obesity and Health Risks: The higher an individual's BMI, the greater the risk of developing severe health complications. Individuals with a BMI greater than 30 face an increased risk of conditions that can reduce life expectancy.
6. Impact on Life Expectancy based on BMI: Studies cited in the article demonstrate that individuals with moderate obesity (30 to 35 BMI) may experience a three-year reduction in life expectancy, while those with severe obesity (40+ BMI) could face up to a ten-year decrease.
7. Specific Health Risks Associated with Obesity: The article details the heightened risks of cancer, heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes associated with obesity, providing statistics and percentages to underscore the severity of these risks.
8. Obesity and Cancer: Obesity increases the risk of various cancers, accounting for a significant percentage of cancer cases and deaths, as reported by the American Cancer Society.
9. Obesity and Heart Disease: The connection between diet, weight, and the increased risk of heart disease is highlighted. The article reveals a 28% increased risk of heart disease for obese individuals, with obesity contributing to 41% of heart disease deaths.
10. Obesity and Hypertension: The article explains how a 5% increase in weight can lead to a 30% increase in the risk of hypertension, linking it to impaired kidney function.
11. Obesity and Diabetes: The article underscores the impact of obesity on diabetes, with type 2 diabetes being a significant consequence. Obesity is associated with an almost doubled risk of early death due to diabetes.
12. Treating Obesity and Improving Life Expectancy: The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of recognizing obesity as a chronic disease. It states that treating obesity can add more than ten years to life expectancy and can mitigate or cure weight-related comorbidities.
In summary, the comprehensive overview provided in the article by Mike Blaney, MD, underscores the critical importance of understanding and addressing obesity as a global health concern with far-reaching implications for life expectancy and overall well-being.
