Overweight, obesity in adolescence linked to adult mortality

Overweight status was as hazardous as light smoking, and obesity was as hazardous as heavy smoking, according to recent study findings.

The researchers examined the mortality rates of 45,920 Swedish men with a mean age of 18.7 years; follow-up was 38 years. Overweight was defined as BMI 25 to 29.9 and obesity was defined as BMI ≥30. Light smoking was defined as one to 10 cigarettes per day and heavy smoking was defined as >10 cigarettes per day.

The HR for risk for mortality was 1.33 (95% CI, 1.15-1.53) in overweight men and 2.14 (95% CI, 1.61-2.85) in obese men compared with men of normal weight (BMI=18.5-24.9).

The relative excess risk for adult mortality in heavy-smoking, obese men was 1.5 (95% CI, –0.7 to 3.7), according to the study. The HR was 1.54 (95% CI, 1.41-1.70) for light smokers and 2.11 (95% CI, 1.92-2.31) for heavy smokers compared with nonsmokers.

The risk for adult mortality increased for overweight and obese individuals regardless of whether they were light or heavy smokers, but there was no link observed between smoking status and BMI, according to the study.

“The global obesity epidemic and smoking among adolescents remain important targets for intensified public health initiatives,” the researchers wrote.

Neovius M. BMJ. 2009;338:b496.