In the largest study of its kind, researchers concluded that 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 ones are triggered by (a condition where the body mass index – BMI – exceeds 30).
The researchers utilized 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, which is about 86 percent, as reported by Daily Mail.
The scientists also focused on pairs of chronic diseases that often develop simultaneously. It turns out that obesity is a major cause of at least ten pairs of ailments occurring together.
Among these are chronic kidney disease and lung diseases, known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); and ; kidney disease and osteoarthritis.
The team noted that a reduction in BMI by 4.5 points could prevent the development of kidney disease and osteoarthritis in approximately 17 out of 1,000 individuals suffering from these conditions.

Professor Jack Bowden, a biomedical data specialist and the study’s lead, stated: “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 offer more specific recommendations to patients in the future,” he added.
Experts stated that their findings, published in the journal Communications Medicine, underscore the urgent need to combat obesity. This could potentially help people live longer and healthier lives.
Professor Jane Masoli, a consultant physician and regional lead for the NIHR program on aging issues, noted: “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 suffer from obesity, which means one in eight residents of our planet.
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Excess weight triggers 61 dangerous chronic diseases.
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