New research presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Venice, Italy (May 12-15) quantifies for the first time the impact of different aspects of childhood obesity on long-term health and life expectancy. did.
The modeling was initiated by stradoo GmbH, a life sciences consultancy in Munich, Germany, and supported by Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, led by stradoo's Dr. Urs Wiedemann and colleagues from universities and hospitals in the UK, Netherlands, France, Sweden, Spain and the US. Announced by. And in Germany, researchers found that the age of onset, severity and duration of obesity all influence life expectancy.
It turns out that the onset of obesity at a very young age has a particularly severe impact.
For example, a child who is severely obese (BMI Z-score 3.5) at age 4 and does not lose weight has a life expectancy of 39 years, which is about half the average life expectancy.
Dr. Wiedemann said, “While it is widely accepted that childhood obesity increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and related diseases such as type 2 diabetes (T2D) and can reduce life expectancy, the magnitude of the impact remains Evidence regarding this is patchy.
“A better understanding of the exact scale of long-term effects and the factors that drive them could help not only improve health and extend lifespans, but also inform prevention policies and approaches to treatment.” there is.”
To learn more, researchers created an early-onset obesity model that can estimate the impact of childhood obesity on cardiovascular disease and related diseases such as type 2 diabetes (TD2), as well as life expectancy.
Four important variables were included: age of onset of obesity, duration of obesity, irreversible risk accumulation (a measure of the irreversible risk of obesity, i.e. the health effects that remain after weight loss), and obesity severity.
Obesity severity was based on BMI Z-score. Widely used as a measure of weight in childhood and adolescence, the BMI Z-score indicates how much an individual's BMI deviates from the normal BMI for her age and gender, with higher values indicating greater weight. indicates that it is heavy.
For example, a 4-year-old boy with an average height of 103 cm and a “normal” weight of approximately 16.5 kg (2st 8lb) would have a BMI Z-score of 0. For a boy of the same age and height who weighs 19.5 kg (3rd place 1 lb), his BMI Z score is 2, which is just within the obese range. A person weighing 22.7 kg (3rd place 8 lb) has a BMI Z score of 3.5, indicating severe obesity.
The data were derived from 50 existing clinical studies on obesity and obesity-related comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular events, and fatty liver disease. This study involved over 10 million participants from all over the world. Of those, 2.7 million were between the ages of 2 and 29.
This model shows that earlier onset and more severe obesity increases the likelihood of developing associated comorbidities.
For example, a person with a BMI Z-score of 3.5 (indicating severe obesity) at age 4 and who does not lose weight thereafter has a 27% chance and 45% chance of developing T2D by age 25. Develops T2D by age 35.
In contrast, individuals with a BMI Z-score of 2 at age 4 have a 6.5% chance of developing T2D by age 25 and 22% by age 35.
The early-onset obesity model also shows that higher BMI Z-scores in early life are associated with shorter life expectancy.
For example, if you have a BMI Z-score of 2 at age 4 and do not lose weight thereafter, your life expectancy will be reduced from about 10 years. From 80 to 65 years old. Life expectancy is further reduced to 50 years with a BMI Z-score of 2.5 and 39 years with a BMI Z-score of 3.5.
In contrast, if you had a BMI Z score of 3.5 at age 12 and did not lose weight, your life expectancy would be 42 years.
The accuracy of the model was confirmed by comparison with research data not included as input to the model and by input from leading experts.
It was also possible to model the effects of weight loss on life expectancy and long-term health. For example, the life expectancy of a person with severe early-onset obesity (his BMI Z score of 4 at age 4) who does not subsequently lose weight is 37 years, and at age 35 he is at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. is 55%. Weight loss that brings her BMI Z score to 2 (just in the obese range) at age 6 increases her life expectancy to 64 years and lowers her risk of type 2 diabetes to 29%.
The modeling also shows that early weight loss restores more lifespan than later weight loss.
Early-onset obesity models show that weight loss has a significant impact on life expectancy and comorbidity risk, especially when weight loss occurs early in life. ”
Dr. Urs Wiedemann
Limitations of this model include not taking into account the causes of obesity, genetic risk factors, ethnic or gender differences, and not considering how various comorbidities interact. Masu.
“The impact of childhood obesity on life expectancy is profound,” Dr. Wiedemann said.
“It is clear that childhood obesity should be considered a life-threatening disease. Start treatment early, rather than delaying treatment until type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or other 'red flags' develop. is important.”
“Early diagnosis should and can improve the quality and longevity of life.”
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European Obesity Research Association
