Impact of weight gain at a young age on long-term health outcomes

According to the data obtained, individuals who developed obesity (body mass index of 30 or higher) between the ages of 17 and 29 have a 70% higher risk of premature death compared to those who did not experience this problem before the age of 60. The main biological explanation for this pattern is the duration of the impact of excess weight on the body’s systems: the earlier a person reaches obesity levels, the longer their internal organs and blood vessels are exposed to the pathological effects of metabolic disorders. On average, the study participants gained about 0.4 kg of weight per year throughout the entire observation period.

The only exception to this pattern was observed when analyzing the risk of cancer in women. In this case, the likelihood of developing cancer remained relatively similar regardless of the age at which the main weight gain occurred. The researchers suggest that this may be due to specific hormonal changes during menopause, which may affect body weight and cancer survival differently than general metabolic factors.

The methodological significance of this work lies in the use of multiple weight measurements conducted by medical personnel, rather than data based on participants’ recollections, which significantly increases the reliability of the findings. The authors of the study emphasize that the obtained results should serve as a signal for policymakers to actively counteract the “obesogenic environment.” Timely measures to prevent obesity among young people can significantly reduce the burden on the healthcare system and the mortality rate from related diseases in the long term.