Weight gain has become a growing concern for people around the world over the past few decades. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity has tripled worldwide since 1975.

The number of people affected by obesity has reached alarming levels, and it poses a significant threat to public health. Studies have shown that being overweight or obese could lead to different chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. But, what is the connection between weight gain and life expectancy?.

What is Life Expectancy?

Life expectancy is the measure of how long someone is expected to live on average. It varies for different countries and depends on many factors such as age, gender, lifestyle, and social-economic status.

It is an essential indicator of the health and well-being of a society.

How Does Weight Gain Affect Life Expectancy?

Several studies have shown that weight gain, particularly obesity, can have a significant impact on life expectancy by contributing to chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obesity could reduce life expectancy by up to 10 years.

One of the ways that weight gain affects life expectancy is through cardiovascular disease. Obesity can cause high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and damage to the arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

It can also lead to type 2 diabetes, which is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Another way that weight gain affects life expectancy is through cancer. Obesity has been linked to some types of cancer, such as breast, colon, ovarian, and pancreatic cancer.

It is thought that obesity may promote the growth of cancer cells by increasing inflammation in the body and altering hormone levels.

Obesity and Life Expectancy by Age and Gender

The impact of obesity on life expectancy may vary by age and gender.

According to a study published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology in 2015, obesity reduces life expectancy more in men than in women, and more in younger adults than in older adults. For example, obesity could reduce life expectancy by up to 8 years in men aged 20-39, compared to up to 6 years in women of the same age group.

Does Losing Weight Improve Life Expectancy?

Losing weight can have many health benefits, such as reducing the risk of chronic diseases and improving overall well-being. But can losing weight improve life expectancy?.

Several studies have shown that weight loss can lead to an improvement in health outcomes, such as reduced blood pressure, improved cholesterol levels, and decreased risk of diabetes.

However, it is not clear whether weight loss can have a significant impact on life expectancy.

A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine in 2017 followed over 9,000 people who underwent bariatric surgery (weight loss surgery).

The study found that surgery was associated with significant weight loss and improvements in health outcomes. However, the study did not find a significant improvement in life expectancy compared to the control group.

It is worth noting that the study only followed the participants for an average of 7.1 years, which may not be long enough to observe a significant improvement in life expectancy.

Another study published in JAMA Internal Medicine in 2018 analyzed the data from multiple studies on weight loss and mortality.

The study found that intentional weight loss (through diet and exercise) was associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease mortality. However, the study did not find a significant association between weight loss and cancer mortality.

Conclusion

Weight gain and obesity can have a significant impact on life expectancy by contributing to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. The impact may vary by age and gender.

Losing weight through diet and exercise can have many health benefits, but the impact on life expectancy is not clear. More research is needed to fully understand the relationship between weight gain, weight loss, and life expectancy.