Obesity will cut the average life span of Americans by at least two to five years if the problem is not addressed within 50 years, according to a study in today's New England Journal of Medicine.

American Indians and Alaska Native already suffer from the lowest life expectancy rates. Depending on the area of Indian Country, life span ranges from a low of 64.3 years to a high of 76.3 years, with an average of 71 years of age, still lower than the national average of 77.6 years of age.

Obesity contributes to a wide range of health problems, most notably diabetes, which is epidemic in Indian Country. Obesity and diabetes are showing up in younger and younger Natives.

Get the Story:
Obesity May Stall Trend of Increasing Longevity (The Washington Post 3/17)
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Relevant Links:
New England Journal of Medicine - http://content.nejm.org

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