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Review
In the eyes of modern people, maintaining a reasonable weight is not only related to health, but also the basis of good appearance. After years of research, scientists have revealed another surprising conclusion, weight can also affect life expectancy and the probability of developing Alzheimer's disease. Now let's find out what range you should control your weight to be healthier.
Does obesity affect longevity?
Obesity is a pervasive health problem that places a lot of burden on the body and increases the risk of various chronic diseases.
The health effects of these diseases can lead to early death. But how much does obesity shorten life? Is there any scientific study that can give a definitive answer?
In fact, many studies have tried to explore the link between weight and longevity. One of the largest studies, led by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), analyzed data from nearly a million people in the United States, Sweden and Australia. The study mainly used people's body mass index (BMI) as a basis to determine whether they were overweight or obese.
BMI is an index calculated by dividing weight (kg) by the square of height (m). Generally speaking, a BMI in the range of 18.5 to 24.9 is just right, a BMI in the range of 25 to 29.9 is relatively fat, and more than 30 is severely obese, and less than 18 is more to eat more nutrition.
This study found that obesity significantly increases the risk of death, particularly due to cardiovascular disease. In addition, the higher the degree of obesity, the greater the risk of death. Researchers have averaged the life expectancy of people in different BMI ranges, and the results show that obesity shortens people's lifespans, while excessive thinness also reduces lifespan.
For example, people with a BMI between 40 and 44.9 lived 10.7 years less than people of normal weight, while people with a BMI between 55 and 59.9 lived 18.3 years less than people of normal weight. These data clearly state that obesity is an extremely serious health problem that can deprive people of their lives.
Of course, the relationship between weight and longevity is not absolute and is influenced by many other factors, such as age, gender, genetics, lifestyle, and environment, among others.
However, these factors do not eliminate the adverse effects of obesity on longevity, and some may even exacerbate this effect. Therefore, we cannot ignore the dangers of obesity and should take some measures to control our weight and maintain a healthy life.
Is the thinner the better?
Obesity increases the risk of many chronic diseases, but is it better to be thinner? Is it possible to avoid the dangers of obesity and even prolong life as long as you maintain a BMI below normal weight? The answer is no. Being excessively thin can also have a negative impact on health and longevity, and sometimes even worse than obesity.
Being excessively thin is defined as a BMI of less than 18.5. There are many reasons for being too thin, and whatever the cause, being too thin means that the body is not getting enough energy and nutrients to maintain normal physiological functions and immunity.
This can lead to a range of health problems, such as:
- Osteoporosis. People who are overly thin are often deficient in calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients that are beneficial to bone health, which can make your bones much more brittle than the average person, and you may break your arm and leg if you fall on your heel. Especially women who have passed childbearing age are more likely to have osteoporosis if they are particularly thin.
- Anaemia. People who are excessively thin are often deficient in nutrients that are essential for hematopoiesis, such as iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12, which can lead to a decrease in hemoglobin levels, a decrease in the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity, and symptoms of anemia.
- Weakened immunity. People who are excessively thin are often deficient in nutrients that are essential for the immune system, such as protein, zinc, selenium, etc., which can lead to a decrease in the number and function of white blood cells, weakened resistance, and susceptibility to pathogens, leading to various diseases.
- Disorders of the reproductive system. Excessive thinness often leads to a decrease in the level of sex hormones due to lack of fat, which affects the development and function of reproductive organs, not only affecting male impotence, infertility and other problems, but also affecting women's health.
- Heart disease. People who are excessively thin often lack essential fatty acids, resulting in damage to heart muscle cells, decreased ability to contract, a slowed heart rate, lower blood pressure, and an increased risk of heart attack.
These health problems all increase the risk of death and lead to shorter life expectancy. Studies have found that people who are excessively thin live 4.3 years (men) and 4.5 years (women) less than people with normal weight. Moreover, people who are excessively thin are more likely to die from noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke and cancer than those who are obese.
Therefore, one should not assume that leaner is better, but rather maintain an appropriate healthy weight. Excessive thinness and obesity can have a negative impact on health and longevity, while people of normal weight enjoy a better quality of life and happiness.
Such people are more likely to have dementia?
Alzheimer's disease is a prevalent neurodegenerative disease that brings about loss of memory and cognition, affecting daily life and social interactions.
The most common form of this is Alzheimer's disease, which accounts for 60% to 80% of Alzheimer's cases.
Although the cause of Alzheimer's disease is not well understood, some factors are thought to be involved, such as age, genetics, education, etc. Weight is also seen as a possible factor, but the relationship with dementia is not straightforward.
Studies have found that weight has different effects on the risk of dementia at different ages. In general, the higher the weight in middle age (40-60 years), the higher the risk of dementia, and the lower the weight in old age (over 60 years), the higher the risk of dementia.
This phenomenon is known as the "reverse epidemiological paradox", which means that there may be a complex causal relationship between weight and dementia.
Obesity in midlife may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease in a number of ways. First of all, obesity may lead to systemic inflammation and metabolic disorders, causing problems such as arteriosclerosis and high blood pressure, which will affect cerebrovascular function, reduce blood supply to the brain, and lead to hypoxia and death of brain cells.
Second, obesity may affect brain structure and function, causing a series of deterioration of brain structure and function. These changes reduce the brain's cognitive reserve and increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
In old age, excessive emaciation can be a consequence of Alzheimer's disease and may also be a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. On the one hand, Alzheimer's disease can affect the patient's eating, leading to weight loss.
On the other hand, Alzheimer's disease can also be the cause of excessive thinness, as it can also lead to a lack of energy supply to the brain, which can damage the brain. These changes make the onset of the disease faster and the worsening of the condition more difficult to suppress.
Therefore, it is not simply assumed that the higher or lower the body weight, the more likely you are to develop Alzheimer's disease, but the impact of weight on Alzheimer's disease at different age stages should be considered. In general, people who maintain a normal weight in middle age and are slightly heavier in old age may have a lower risk of dementia.
But this does not mean that you should deliberately gain weight in old age, but rather avoid excessive thinness and maintain proper nutrition and energy intake.
epilogue
These findings remind us that weight is not the only factor that affects health and longevity, and that age, genetics, lifestyle, and more all play an important role in the health equation.
Therefore, maintaining healthy lifestyle habits and a balanced diet will be key to preventing chronic diseases such as Alzheimer's. Ultimately, understanding and respecting your body's needs is key to maintaining good health and longevity.
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