Obesity and Mortality
A new study, reference 9, specifically examines whether higher levels of physical activity can counteract the higher risk of death associated with obesity. The study follows 117 thousand women, who were initially aged 30-55, and were free of known cardiovascular disease and cancer. After 24 years of followup, 10,300 deaths had occurred. The study determined that compared to women who were both lean and active (BMI less than 25, and 3.5 or more hours exercising per week),
lean and inactive women had a relative risk of death of 1.6 (Margin of Error between 1.4 and 1.7)
obese (BMI greater than 30) but active women had a relative risk of death of 1.9 (Margin of Error between 1.6 and 2.3)
obese and inactive women had a relative risk of death of 2.4 (Margin of Error between 2.1 and 2.7)
The significant rise in risk starts at a BMI range of 27 to 30, where an increased risk ratio of 1.26 (Margin of Error between 1.18 and 1.36) was inferred. The increasing risk is primarily due to cardiovascular disease. However the increase in the risk for cancer, although smaller, is no less significant (statistically).
Evidently, obesity has a major detrimental impact on mortality in women - exercising is only partially successful in the mitigating the risk. Weight reduction is essential to reduce the risk!
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Last Modification - December 26, 2004