That Bulge reduces your life by two years

Sydney, Mar 4 (UNI) Life expectancy of chubby kids reduces by two years by the time they become young adults, a new study suggests.

The research conducted at the University of Western Australia further revealed that obese adults cut their life expectancy by four years.

Proving that obesity shortened life, the report also stated that girls were at a greater risk than boys.

Overweight people with a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 25 and 30, have six months less than average expectancy. Those with a BMI over 30 live for between 3.5 and 4.5 fewer years.

The new statistics ring alarm bells about a need to make a serious change for the better in the realm of obesity.

As many as 58 per cent of men and 42 per cent of women are either overweight or obese. About a quarter of children fit into either category.

Professor Mike Daube said obesity epidemic was becoming a national catastrophe.

''Changing behaviour is difficult but if you look at tobacco, ten years ago, we were failing and suddenly now it's a success story.'' Same success can be achieved with obesity but only if it is treated with the same level of seriousness, the Australian quoted him as saying.

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