Being overweight or obese raises the risk of chronic disease and premature death. Investigators have now examined the relationship of healthy survival to old age and weight in early adulthood and midlife. Data from 17,000 women enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Study reveals that for every one unit of BMI greater than 25, the odds for healthy survival to 70 decreased by 12%! Healthy survival was defined as free from major chronic diseases, including myocardial infarction, cancer, and stroke. Not surprisingly, for each 1 kg (2.2 pounds) gained passed 18 years old, odds of healthy survival were reduced by 5%.
PositiveTip: Keep those unnecessary pounds off to be healthy today–and way into the future.