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Obesity Fuels 86% of Chronic Illnesses, Study Finds
4 Feb
Summary
- Obesity drives 86% of 71 chronic health conditions studied.
- Lowering BMI by 4.5 points can prevent multiple diseases.
- Excess weight is the major driving force for several conditions.
A large-scale study involving thousands of individuals has identified obesity as a major contributor to chronic illnesses. Researchers analyzed genetic and healthcare data to determine the link between excess weight and 71 health conditions that often occur together.
The findings indicate that obesity, defined by a BMI over 30, is a significant factor in 86% of these conditions. For every 1,000 people, a decrease in BMI by 4.5 points could prevent approximately 17 cases of chronic kidney disease and osteoarthritis, and about 9 cases of type 2 diabetes and osteoarthritis.
Obesity was found to be the primary driver for several specific pairings of diseases, including chronic kidney disease with COPD, gout with sleep apnoea, and kidney disease with osteoarthritis and type 2 diabetes. This research highlights the crucial role of weight management in preventing the accumulation of multiple health issues.
The study's authors emphasize that these findings strengthen the case for robust public health programs targeting obesity. Effective weight management on the NHS could potentially reduce the burden of chronic conditions, which currently affects millions in the UK and incurs significant healthcare costs.
Limitations of the study include data primarily from northern European populations and the exclusion of certain lifestyle factors. Nevertheless, experts believe the results reinforce the importance of lifelong obesity management within NHS strategies to promote longer, healthier lives.
