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Lower Weight and Increased LongevityThere are now hundreds of studies showing that lower body weight increases lifespan: * In 1985, the National Institute of Health, Centers for Disease Control, and the Department of Health and Human Services published a "special report" stating: "Studies based on life insurance data, the American Cancer Society Study and other long-term studies, such as the Framingham Heart Study and the Manitoba Study, indicate that the weights associated with the greatest longevity tend to be below the average weights of the population as long as such weights are not associated with concurrent illness or a history of medical impairment."[i] * In 1993, the Journal of the American Medical Association published a study that concluded: "In these prospective data, body weight and mortality were directly related. After accounting for confounding by cigarette smoking and bias resulting from illness-related weight loss or inappropriate control for the biologic effects of obesity, we found no evidence of excess mortality among lean men. Indeed, lowest mortality was observed among men weighing, on average, 20% below the US average for men of comparable age and height."[ii] * In 1995, a study published in New England Journal of Medicine concluded: "Among women who never smoked, the leanest women ... had the lowest mortality, and even women with average weights had higher mortality. Mortality was lowest among women whose weights were below the range of recommended weights in the current U.S. guidelines. Moreover, a weight gain of 10 kg of more since the age of 18 was associated with increased mortality in middle adulthood. These data indicate that the lowest mortality rate for U.S. middle- aged women is found at body weights at least 15 percent below the U.S. average for women of similar age."[iii] While such studies based on epidemiological data establish correlation, not causation, the bulk of these findings among human populations in addition to laboratory proof that Caloric Restriction extends the lifespan of all other animals supports the idea that decreased caloric intake extends human lifespan. The rationale for the treatment of obesityThe rationale for the treatment of obesity is based on two lines of evidence: 1) studies showing that obesity is related to increased disease and mortality and 2) studies that show that eating less and weight loss reduce the risk factors for disease and extend life. Weight loss (as little as 10 percent of initial body weight) in overweight and obese adults has been shown to reduce various chronic disease risk factors (e.g., hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia) and may decrease morbidity and mortality.1 To be of value the treatment must have low rates of its own complications. This is one of the important advantages of the Mini-Gastric Bypass, it has a low risk and low rate of associated complications.
[i] NIHNC, CDC, & DHHS. (1985). Body weight, health and longevity: conclusions and recommendations of the workshop. Nutrition Reviews, February, 43(2), pages 61-3. |
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