You probably know that quitting smoking and getting regular exercise can add years to your life. Now, new findings indicate that people who are morbidly obese and then undergo weight loss surgery can expect to live longer, as well.
That’s the verdict from researchers at the University of Cincinnati, who say that based on data, the average bariatric surgery patient will add three years to their life by having weight loss surgery.
“Average,” by the way, is a 42-year-old woman who weighs 275 pounds and has a body mass index of 45. The researchers are basing this conclusion on data from three sources: A large clinical trial, an inpatient survey from 2005 and health survey information that spans back to 1991.
This new study was funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases – which is a relevant point, since being morbidly obese can shorten a person’s life by causing diabetes and by damaging the kidneys and digestive organs. Two recent studies have also linked obesity to kidney cancer.
The study only adds to the evidence of the beneficial health effects of weight loss surgery for obese individuals, which may influence whether bariatric procedures will continued to be covered by insurance providers here in the U.S
