Risk of premature death increases, alongside risk of obesity and overweight
A major study that has been published in The Lancet has shown that being overweight or obese is directly associated with a higher risk of premature death. Many recent studies have suggested that excess weight does not have deleterious effects on chronic disease; however this study has highlighted many methodological limitations in previous research. For example, much research had been confounded by smokers, as they tend to have a lower BMI than non-smokers, but a higher mortality.
In 2013, researchers pooled resources to form the Global BMI Mortality Collaboration, involving over 500 investigators from over 300 institutions. The efforts of this group have recently been focused on resolving the confusion between BMI and mortality. In total, this study analysed data from 10.6 million participants across 45 years. It found that those of a healthy weight (BMI between 22.5 and 25) had the lowest mortality, whilst every 5 units above 25 was associated with a 31% higher risk of premature death. The study also found that those who were underweight also had a higher mortality risk. Overall the study has highlighted that the higher the BMI of an individual, the higher their chance of premature death for a wide range of populations.
Read MoreHealthy infant sleep habits help prevent obesity
Parents should be taught bedtime techniques that encourage healthy sleep habits to help prevent obesity in their children. This is the conclusion of a study coming from Penn State College of Medicine. The researchers are investigating the use of a new intervention that is being trialled in the INSIGHT study (Intervention Nurses Start Infants Growing on Healthy Trajectories), one part of this intervention is the improvement of sleep related behaviours for both parents and children. It was found that children of parents who had been trained in special bedtime techniques were more likely to self-soothe to sleep without being fed, and were less likely to wake up during the night requiring feeding.
The lead author, Dr Ian M. Paul, mentioned how many parents try to keep their baby up later so that they sleep longer during the night, however this was shown to not be the case, and actually led to unhealthy behaviours for the children. He went on to say that children should be put to bed early and left to self-soothe. Whilst helping to prevent obesity, this would also result in positive effects for the child’s development and the mental health of the parents.
Read MoreWeight loss interventions do not result in higher fertility
A randomised controlled study has taken place in the Netherlands and has found that weight loss interventions preceding fertility treatment did not result in higher birth rates. The study included 577 women, who were split into two groups, one who received lifestyle intervention advice, and one that did not. Weight loss was found to be higher in the intervention group, however, birth rates were comparable. A further analysis did however find that the rate of ongoing pregnancies following natural conception was higher in the intervention group than the control.
Obese women may suffer from anovulation, where they do not release an ovum to be fertilised monthly. This study has shown that whilst a lifestyle intervention may be able to treat anovulation, the rates of healthy live births are not affected.
Read MoreObese children have a 60% higher healthcare cost
An Australian study has found that obese children aged two to five have a 60% higher healthcare cost than their healthy weight counterparts. The article, published in Obesity, is one of the first to directly compare the healthcare costs of obesity in preschool children when compared to those of a normal weight. The study included 350 children in total, and found that obese children were also 2-3 times more likely to require hospital admission. Commonly these children were being admitted for ear, nose and throat problems, as well as respiratory disorders.
The researchers are hoping to highlight the fact that whilst childhood obesity has a huge impact on the health of a child, there are also economic impacts that may have previously been overlooked. Worldwide, it is thought that around 6.9% of children are obese, but in wealthier countries this number is far higher, with 23% of Australian children suffering from overweight and obesity. It has been shown before that obesity tracks into adulthood, and this can cause further health problems, but this study serves to highlight that the economic impact should not be ignored, and healthcare funders should take this information into account.
Read MoreYoung and overweight? A greater risk for future heart failure
The time in one’s life at which an individual chooses to lose weight may have more of an effect on their risk of having a heart attack than previously thought. Research from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology has found that those who don’t adopt a healthy lifestyle early, and recover from overweight, are at a far higher risk of developing heart problems, compared to those who have already adapted their habits. The study analysed data from 26,000 people over 30 years and found that the most recent BMI measurement corresponded to the risk of having a heart attack, however the person’s average BMI over a 30-year period was strongly related to the risk of heart failure.
The researchers noticed that those with a higher BMI early in life were at the greatest risk of developing heart failure. They adjusted for a variety of personal and lifestyle factors, and concluded that obesity may weaken the heart, and obesity at a young age predisposes it to failure. A secondary analysis within the study found that maintaining a stable weight over a period of time lowered people’s risk of future heart failure, highlighting the dangers of yo-yo dieting.
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