Study sheds light on 'obesity paradox'
28 May 2009
Obesity is associated with a range of long-term conditions - notably type 2 diabetes, low back pain and osteoarthritis. 
Dr Mike Knapton, British Heart Foundation
Men who are overweight in middle age but then lose it when they get older may have the highest risk of illness and death in later life, according to a study published this month in the European Heart Journal.
The research, carried out by scientists in Finland, looked at how changes in men's body weight throughout life affect their risk of early death.
It's thought that people who are overweight are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease and other chronic illnesses. However, some evidence suggests that people who are overweight with chronic diseases may have a better chance of survival compared to normal weight individuals with chronic diseases. This is known as the 'obesity paradox'.
The researchers looked at data from 1,114 men who were included in the Helsinki Businessmen Study. The men's body mass index (BMI) and cardiovascular disease risk had been recorded at ages 25, 47 and 73. The researchers identified those men who had died and the cause of death.
The data was separated into four groups according to the men's weight: constantly normal weight, constantly overweight, normal weight in middle age and overweight in later life, overweight in middle age and normal weight in later life.
Those men who were overweight in middle age but lost weight in later life had the highest risk of death in old age compared to the other groups. They also had a higher risk of cardiovascular disease in middle age.
Although the study suggests an increased risk of early death for people who are overweight in middle age and then lose it in later life, there is no reason why you shouldn't maintain a healthy weight throughout your life. If you think you're overweight and want to lose weight, you should visit your GP.
Dr Mike Knapton, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, told the Bupa health information team: "I would still advise weight loss for my middle aged patients if they are motivated to do so, as overweight and obesity is associated with a range of long-term conditions - notably type 2 diabetes, low back pain and osteoarthritis."
He also highlighted the benefits of physical activity: "A change in physical activity will improve the person's 'fitness' with all the benefits associated such as improved exercise tolerance and improvements in general well-being."
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Using the BMI measurement system, if you have a BMI of:
BMI is only a guide to healthy weight. It's aimed at healthy adults, and doesn't give a useful measure for children, older people, muscular athletes or people belonging to some ethnic groups. Complications of obesity If you're overweight, you're at risk of developing health problems. These include:
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