Extreme obesity can cost you up to 14 years.

• Position: Life Expectancy - Brief article

Adults with extreme obesity have increased risks of dying at a young age from cancer and many other causes, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and kidney and liver diseases, according to results of an analysis of data pooled from 20 large studies of people from three countries. The study, led by researchers from the National Cancer Institute, found that people with class III (or extreme) obesity have a dramatic reduction in life expectancy compared with people of normal weight.

"Prior to our study, little had been known about the risk of premature death associated with extreme obesity," says lead author Cari Kitahara of the Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics.

"While once a relatively uncommon condition, the prevalence of extreme obesity is on the rise. In the U.S., for example, six percent of adults are now classified as extremely obese, which, for a person of average height, Is more than 100 pounds over the recommended range for normal weight."

The studies that were analyzed included adults from the U.S., Sweden, and Australia. The researchers found that the risk of dying...