Obese young adults can expect to live about 6 years less than their normal-weight peers, according to a modeling study in the Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.
Researchers created and validated a model to estimate the annual risks for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mortality in overweight and obese adults.
Compared with normal-weight men aged 20–39, overweight men lived an estimated 2.7 fewer years; obese men, 5.9 fewer years; and very obese men, 8.4 fewer years. Findings generally were similar for women. Overall, the number of years lost attributable to excess weight decreased with increasing age.

The researchers say their findings “might provide a useful health measure for discussions between health professionals and their patients.”

Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology