As part of the study, the researchers forecasted the life expectancy for a typical 18-year-old from 2005-2020 based on past trends in smoking and BMI. They found that declining smoking rates would add to that 18-year-old’s life expectancy by 0.31 year over this period, while rising obesity rates would hold it back by 1.02 years, resulting in total in a reduced life expectancy of 0.71 years from these two factors.<\/p>\n
The study did not take in account other factors that might affect life expectancy, such as advances in medical care. Life expectancy might still rise overall because of such factors, but the rate of rise will likely be slowed by the increases in obesity.<\/p>\n
If all U.S. adults became nonsmokers of normal weight by 2020, life expectancy would shoot up to 3.76 years, the researchers estimated.<\/p>\n
“The hypothetical scenario of having everyone a non-smoker of normal weight may be unachievable. But these results show the dramatic toll that both smoking and obesity can have on both the length of life and the quality of life,” says Rosen.<\/p>\n
Obesity contributes to the development of several chronic diseases, from cardiovascular disease to cancer. In fact, a recent study found that more than 100,000 cancers in the US each year are linked to excess body fat.<\/p>\n
“Public health efforts to discourage smoking have worked, and a similar effort could help turn around obesity rates,” Rosen says.<\/p>\n
To reduce your risk of being excessively overweight, the American Cancer Society recommends balancing calorie intake with physical activity. Eat at least 5 servings of fruit and vegetables every day, choose whole grains over processed grains, and limit red meat. Adults should engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate or vigorous physical activity 5 days a week or more.<\/p>\n
If you smoke, the American Cancer Society can help you quit. Call 1-800-ACS-2345 for information on counseling and other services that can help you quit for good<\/p>\n
“Even modest weight loss and reductions in smoking at the individual level can have substantial effects on population health,” the researchers write. <\/p>\n