Researchers looked at the medical records of over one million Americans and found a distinct link between being overweight and a higher risk of dying from cancer or heart disease. Obesity is probably the second leading preventable cause of death in the US after cigarette smoking, so it is a very serious problem. Being obese can have serious health consequences. These include an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, gallstones, and many cancers. You should want to lose weight so that you look good and feel good about yourself AND to lower your risk of certain diseases.
Obesity is associated with premature occurrence of acute myocardial infarction.
Suwaidi JA et al. Body-mass index and mortality in a prospective cohort of U.S. adults. Calle EE et al. The study examined 600 Okinawan centenarians, or residents who are 100 or older. The study found that the centenarians shared certain lifestyle factors, one of which was a low-calorie diet that included an abundance of soyfoods, vegetables and fish.