Excess weight increases risk of premature death

Adults are at increased risk of premature death from cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other conditions if they are overweight or obese at some point in their adult life, according to a study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Boston University School of Public Health.

The study was published April 4, 2017 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

The study, led by Edward Yu, a graduate student at Harvard Chan School, appears to counter what’s called the “obesity paradox” — the idea that being overweight, but not obese, can extend your lifespan more than being slim.

Other Harvard Chan co-authors included: Sylvia Ley, Walter Willett, Ambika Satija, Frank Hu, and JoAnn Manson.

Read an April 3, 2017 Boston University School of Public Health press release: Weight History Over Time Shows Higher Risk of Death for Overweight, Obese People

Read an April 5, 2017 Fox News Lifestyle story: Being slightly overweight may cut years off your life

Learn more

The dangers of excess weight (Harvard Chan: This Week in Health podcast)

As overweight and obesity increase, so does risk of dying prematurely (Harvard Chan press release)

What Does It Actually Mean to Be Overweight or Obese?  (Harvard Chan’s Obesity Prevention Source)

Healthy Weight: Maintain, Don’t Gain (Harvard Chan’s The Nutrition Source)