Early Weight Gain Linked to Higher Mortality Risk

A recent study highlights an important aspect of health: it’s not just about gaining weight, but also when we gain it. Researchers found that weight gain during early adulthood is particularly associated with increased mortality risk.

Those who became obese between the ages of 17 and 29 had about a 70 percent higher chance of dying from any cause during the follow-up compared to individuals who didn’t develop obesity by age 60.

Conducted by a team at Lund University in Sweden, the study aimed to track changes in weight over time rather than relying on a single measurement. They analyzed data from over 600,000 individuals, focusing on those who had at least three weight measurements from ages 17 to 60.

While the study doesn’t conclude that early weight gain directly caused these deaths, it acknowledges that obesity is linked to various health issues. “The most consistent finding is that weight gain at a younger age is tied to a higher risk of premature death compared to individuals who gain less weight,” notes epidemiologist Tanja Stocks from Lund University.

The researchers pointed out that living for extended periods with the biological stresses of obesity—along with increased pressure on the body—might contribute to earlier mortality rates.

The study tracked overall mortality alongside deaths from various obesity-related conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, certain types of cancer, and type 2 diabetes.

Obesity was defined as reaching a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above for the first time. Though BMI standards were more rigid at the time, definitions are evolving.

In addition to the key finding about early adulthood weight gain, there were notable associations with those who gained more weight at any age being more likely to die during the study. Cardiovascular diseases, particularly heart attacks and strokes, were the leading causes of these associations.

The researchers suggested that the duration of obesity seems to be a more critical factor affecting mortality risk compared to weight gain later in life. Long-term effects from insulin resistance and inflammation due to fat-producing substances may contribute to this risk.

Interestingly, while deaths from type 2 diabetes and some cancers were associated with obesity, certain cancers showed no statistical connection with weight.

There were also gender differences. In women, the increased risk of death associated with obesity seemed consistent across different times when the weight gain occurred, possibly indicating that hormonal changes related to menopause might play a role.

However, it’s essential to recognize that the study has its limitations. Factors like diet and exercise weren’t accounted for, and those could certainly influence mortality rates as well. Future research may benefit from including these elements, alongside new methods to assess fat distribution and differentiate between fat and muscle mass.

The sheer size of the participant group and the longitudinal approach make these findings significant for public health. Essentially, preventing obesity early in life should be a priority.

To quantify the mortality risk, the study found that about 17 out of every 1,000 participants with early obesity died during the follow-up, compared to around 10 in 1,000 without early obesity.

Stocks cautions against overly fixating on precise risk numbers due to the many influencing factors. “However, recognizing these patterns is crucial,” she emphasizes. The study indeed sends a vital message to policymakers and decision-makers.

The findings are detailed in the published research in eClinicalMedicine.