Being Overweight, If Only For A Short Time, Increases Your Risk Of Dying
A study that has been carried out over 16 years, examining 225,000 people has shown that being overweight increases the risk of early death. The more overweight you are, and the length of time you are overweight further increases your risk of premature death. However, the study has shown that being slightly overweight, even in the short-term, that your risk of early death is also elevated. The risk of early death relates to heart disease, cancer and other health problems.
In England, 58% of women and 68% of men are overweight or obese – this puts us as the second most overweight country in Europe.
Those who were classed as overweight (BMI 25-30) has a 6% increased risk of early death within the next 12 years. Those who were classed as obese (BMI 30-35) had an increased risk of 24% of dying in the same 12-year time frame. And those who were severely obese (BMI 35+) were at a 73% risk of premature death within 12 years.
Cardiovascular disease proved to be the most detrimental to people’s health as those who were overweight had an increased risk of developing it by 21%, although this is overshadowed by the 174% increased risk among the severely obese.
The risk of developing cancer was also raised up to 28% depending on weight.
We cannot entirely eradicate our risk of developing certain diseases, but it is clear from this long-term study that by maintaining a healthy body weight, that we can go a long way in protecting our health and wellbeing to ensure we give ourselves the best chance at a long and healthy life.
