Life Expectancy Decreases as BMI Surpasses 40

Obese adults are more likely to die from all causes than those within normal weight range, but particularly from heart disease, cancer and diabetes. The meta-analysis of 20 prospective cohort studies found life expectancy decreased as BMI surpassed 40. "Our results suggest that otherwise healthy, non-smoking adults with BMI values within the class III obesity range may considerably extend their life expectancy by avoiding additional weight gain." Looking at data from the National Cancer Institute Cohort Consortium, the researchers estimated total and cause-specific mortality rates (deaths per 100,000 persons per year) and multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios over 30 years for adults aged 19 to 83 years at baseline. Kitahara CM. PLoS Med. 2014;doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1001673.