In the largest study of its kind, researchers concluded that obesity is a primary driving force behind the development of dangerous chronic diseases.
A team of scientists from the University of Exeter (UK) analyzed 71 serious diseases to determine which are triggered by obesity (a condition defined as a body mass index, BMI, of 30 or higher).
The researchers used genetic and medical data from thousands of individuals who participated in previous studies. They found that obesity contributed to the onset of 61 out of 71 diseases — about 86 percent, according to the Daily Mail.
The scientists also focused on pairs of chronic diseases that often develop together. They found that obesity is a major cause of at least ten pairs of conditions occurring simultaneously.
Among them are pairs such as chronic kidney disease with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and kidney disease with osteoarthritis.
The team said that a reduction in BMI of 4.5 points could prevent kidney disease and osteoarthritis in approximately 17 out of 1,000 people at risk for these conditions.
Professor Jack Bowden, a biomedical data specialist and the study’s lead, said, “We have long known that certain diseases often occur together, and that obesity increases the risk of developing many conditions.”
“We found that for some combinations of diseases, obesity is the primary driving force. Our research has provided much more detail about the links between obesity and diseases, which will help doctors give more specific recommendations to patients,” he added.
The findings, published in the journal Communications Medicine, underscore the urgent need to combat obesity, which could help people live longer, healthier lives.
Professor Jane Masoli, a consultant physician and regional lead for the NIHR program on aging issues, said, “Understanding how to prevent the accumulation of diseases is a key priority for national research and public health.”
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than one billion people worldwide have obesity — about one in eight people.
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