Tis the season to indulge. However, restraint may be best, according to a
new study led by investigators at the Research Institute of the McGill
University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) and McGill University. The
researchers examined the relationship between body weight and life
expectancy. Their findings show that overweight and obese individuals
have the potential to decrease life expectancy by up to 8 years. The
study, published in the current issue of The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, further
demonstrates that when one considers that these individuals may also
develop diabetes or cardiovascular disease earlier in life, this excess
weight can rob them of nearly two decades of healthy life.
In collaboration with researchers from the University of Calgary and
the University of British Columbia our team has developed a computer
model to help doctors and their patients better understand how excess
body weight contributes to reduced life expectancy and premature
development of heart disease and diabetes," says lead author Dr. Steven
Grover, a Clinical Epidemiologist at the RI-MUHC and a Professor of
Medicine at McGill University.
Diabetes and cardiovascular disease: the predictors of health
Dr. Grover and his colleagues used data from the National Health and
Nutrition Examination Survey (from years 2003 to 2010) to develop a
model that estimates the annual risk of diabetes and cardiovascular
disease in adults with different body weights. This data from almost
4,000 individuals was also used to analyze the contribution of excess
body weight to years of life lost and healthy years of life lost.
Their findings estimated that individuals who were very obese could
lose up to 8 years of life, obese individuals could lose up to 6 years,
and those who were overweight could lose up to three years. In addition,
healthy life-years lost were two to four times higher for overweight
and obese individuals compared to those who had a healthy weight,
defined as 18.5-25 body mass index (BMI). The age at which the excess
weight accumulated was an important factor and the worst outcomes were
in those who gained their weight at earlier ages.
"The pattern is clear -- the more an individual weighs and the
younger their age, the greater the effect on their health," Dr. Grover
adds. "In terms of life-expectancy, we feel being overweight is as bad
as cigarette smoking."
The next steps are to personalize this information in order to make
it more relevant and compelling for patients. "What may be interesting
for patients are the 'what if?' questions. What if they lose 10 to 15
pounds? Or, what if they are more active? How will this change the
numbers?" says Dr. Grover. The research team is now conducting a three
year study in community pharmacies across the country to see if engaging
patients with this information and then offering them a web-based
e-health program will help them adopt healthier lifestyles, including
healthier diets and regular physical activity.
"These clinically meaningful models are useful for patients, and
their healthcare professionals, to better appreciate the issues and the
benefits of a healthier lifestyle, which we know is difficult for many
of us to adopt and maintain, Dr. Grover adds.
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