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Obesity may shorten Americans' life expectancy
A recent research study conducted by a team of the University of Illinois at Chicago concluded
that obesity may shorten Americans' life expectancy.
"This is not based on speculation about some impending disaster or unforeseen event. It is based on the
future of American health that we can observe today among the very people who will express the health and
life expectancy of the future: today's children." said S. Jay Olshansky, the study author, professor of
epidemiology and biostatistics.
The study autors note that the obesity prevalence among adults has risen since 1980 by
aproximatively 50 percent per decade . That means two-thirds of U.S. adults are overweight or obese.
By consequence, an increasing percentage of the population is at high risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes,
cancer and other diseases.
The conclusion of study: At birth, life expectancy is already one-third to three-quarters of a year shorter
than it would be if population had a healthy body weight. Unless abruptly changes won't happened to
turn obesity's prevalence, the life span of the average American people could be shorted from two up five years
in the coming decades.
Comments and Reactions
Richard M. Suzman, the NIA's associate director for Behavioral and Social Research
"I think there's plenty of head room for life expectancy to continue increasing".
Samuel H. Preston, a professor of demography at the Population Studies Center of the University of
Pennsylvania in Philadelphia
"Hundreds of factors affect a population's rate of death in any particular period, and it is their combined
effect that establishes the trend".
NOTE: The Information on this site is provided for information only, and is not meant to substitute for
the advice of your own physician or other medical professional.
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