Research: being overweight can be beneficial for health and longevity

Middle-aged people who become overweight live longer than their peers who have been physically fit their whole lives. Scientists came to this paradoxical (but for some very inspiring) conclusion during a study of two generations of Americans, which lasted almost 70 years, writes with the BBC.

Photo: Shutterstock

At the same time, people suffering from overweight since childhood have the highest chances of not living to old age.

“Our findings primarily apply to those who were of normal weight at a young age, but then began to gradually gain it and were already overweight by middle age,” explains study leader Hui Zheng, professor of sociology at Ohio University. “So, these people’s chances of living longer increase.”

The professor and colleagues analyzed data from more than 8 Massachusetts residents, parents and their children, using records that were kept since 1948. (Children were tracked from 1971 to 2014).

Weight gain tendencies in both groups were approximately the same, but scientists noted with alarm that the trend towards obesity in children was observed at an earlier age.

Moreover, they were more likely to die as a result of being overweight than their parents' generation.

But a small increase in weight, says Professor Zheng, adds extra years of life with age.

On the subject: Scientists have found a revolutionary way to combat obesity

In turn, anti-obesity activists warn: the results of the new study do not mean you can give yourself the green light and stop monitoring your weight.

“It's normal to put on some weight by midlife, and it's true that small gains protect against a range of diseases, including diabetes and heart disease,” says a spokesperson for the National Obesity Forum. Tam Fry. “But don’t imagine that at 55 you can give up on everything and dream of longevity.”

How did the study

"Previous studies of the history of BMI have focused on either older or younger populations due to data limitations," he told the publication. Healio Zheng. “Our study models BMI trajectories throughout life and estimates mortality risks depending on the trajectory. This is the first study to examine the association of life course trajectories of BMI with mortality, and the first to do so across two generations.”

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read it all on ForumDaily New York

Zheng and his colleagues analyzed data from two groups of people. The original group included men and women between the ages of 28 and 74, who were surveyed every 2–3 years from 1948 to 2010. The descendant group consisted of the children of the original group and their spouses. They were examined every 3-4 years from 1971 to 2014. In this group, scientists conducted observations at the age of 31 and older.

“The impact of weight gain on mortality is complex,” Zheng said. “It depends on the timing and amount of weight gain, as well as the initial weight status in early adulthood.” For people who are normal weight in early adulthood, a moderate increase to overweight in later life is associated with lower mortality risks compared with those who remain in the normal weight range throughout adulthood. But for people who are overweight or obese in early adulthood, weight gain is associated with an excess risk of mortality.”

Despite the lower mortality risks in the group of obese offspring, this group had a higher overall mortality risk compared to baseline (6,4% versus 5,4%). This is because the offspring groups had more participants with high-risk weight gain trajectories.

Read also on ForumDaily:

The doctor who lived for 105 years gave a prescription for longevity

Causing obesity and cancer: what are processed foods and why are they dangerous

What happens to the body if you use marijuana every day

On diapers, sweets and the Internet: the strangest taxes in the US

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.