Those who are classified as obese, as opposed to just overweight, may be at a significantly higher risk of death from all causes, says a new study from researchers at the CDC. For the study, the researchers reviewed data collected in 97 studies, including more than 2.88 million total subjects.
Overall, they found that those classified as obese had an eighteen percent higher risk of death from all causes. This rate spiked to as high as 29 percent for those in the highest categories of obesity.
"Estimates of the relative mortality risks associated with normal weight, overweight, and obesity may help to inform decision making in the clinical setting," the researchers write.
"Possible explanations have included earlier presentation of heavier patients, greater likelihood of receiving optimal medical treatment, cardioprotective metabolic effects of increased body fat, and benefits of higher metabolic reserves," the researchers add.
Their data appeared this week in JAMA.
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June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.