Research showed that obesity reduces life expectancy in both the young and the aging population. One study estimated that being obese can accelerate death by eight years in men. For women, life expectancy is six years less. At the same time, obesity can cause you to lose up to 20 years of healthy life due to chronic diseases caused by it, such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Obesity is associated with other leading causes of death in the US and worldwide, such as stroke and some types of cancer. In general, obesity relates to poorer mental health outcomes and reduced quality of life.

A healthy weight promotes a longer healthspan. So, maintaining a healthy weight is about having a much better quality of life.