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 the 5th leading cause of death worldwide, 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 study found 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 an increased risk of dying from cancer, heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes.