Health risks Obesity significantly increases the risk of premature death. Recent analyses, corrected for the confounding effects of smoking and pre-existing disease, have shown a virtually linear relationship between increasing BMI and increased risk. Obese subjects have a twofold increased risk of premature death relative to their leaner counterparts. The psychological penalties due to the social stigma of obesity should not be underestimated. There are also costs to industry in relation to increased time off work, sick pay and disability pensions.
Many people harbour unrealistic perceptions of their body size.
For other adults the best advice is probably to avoid weight gain. Adopting a low-fat diet and increasing physical activity will help prevent the trend towards an increase in body weight with age, and will also have independent health benefits. There are a number of options to treat obesity. Many obese people have tried and failed on previous occasions to lose weight and it is helpful to understand the dieting experience of any individual before embarking on further weight loss attempts. Reduced energy diets Starvation is a dangerous and ineffective method of long-term weight control.