Obesity related death risk increases with age

A new study found that the risk of death due to obesity increases as individuals grow older, despite past findings that predict a weaker association.

Researchers reviewed data from the National Health Interview Survey linked to the National Death Index to understand the association between obesity and early adult mortality.

The sample included survey respondents between the ages of 40 and 84.9.

The study uniquely accounted for not only the age of the respondent, but also the period in which they were observed and the birth cohort that they were a member of.

Results indicated that obesity accounts for more US deaths in recent birth cohorts than for earlier ones. Furthermore, the impact of high body mass index on mortality risk was found to increase as individuals grew older.

The study is published in the American Journal of Public Health.