Why the “dad bod” is not sexy but rather a serious health hazard

Men with dad bods, your sex appeal appears to be dwindling.  Maybe some women still profess to prefer a man with what they consider a sexy “dad bod” but new research finds that the pleasantly plump physique could likely increase health risks later in life.

Researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health warn that both men and women who cumulatively gain weight in early and middle adulthood could have a higher likelihood of dying prematurely or face serious health risks in later life.  The study published online in JAMA, found that when they compared people who managed to keep their weight stable over the years to individuals who gained a moderate amount of weight (5-22 pounds) before age 55, those who gained weight increased their risk of chronic diseases, premature death, and a reduced likelihood of achieving healthy aging.  The more weight a person gained, the greater their risk of chronic diseases.

For the study, health data from 92,837 study participants were analyzed which included women from the Nurses’ Health Study between 1976 and 2012, and men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study between 1986 and 2012. Each participant reported on what they weighed at specific ages – women at age 18 and men at age 21.  They then reported what their weight was at age 55.  It was found women gained an average of 22 pounds while men gained an average of 19 pounds.

Study participants who gained a moderate amount of weight not only increased their risk of chronic diseases and premature death but also were less likely to score well on a “healthy aging” assessment of physical and cognitive health.  In fact, participants from a meta-analysis of two cohorts found that for every 11 pounds gained there was an associated risk of the following health conditions:

·      30% increased risk of type 2 diabetes

·      14% increased risk of hypertension

·      8% increased risk of cardiovascular disease

·      5% increased risk of dying prematurely (among never smokers)

·      17% decreased odd of achieving healthy aging

What this study reveals is what has been known for some time.  Once individuals reach their 30s and 40s, they tend to become less active.  They usually are in one of the busiest decades of their lives working long hours, spending time with family and assuming more responsibilities than ever before.  Unfortunately, this cuts into time spent in exercising consistently or eating a healthy meal plan.  Since our metabolism begins to slow down by about 5% per decade after age 30, it is very easy for weight gain to creep up unexpectedly and before they know it, they’ve gained more weight than planned.  This is also when back and knee injuries become apparent which is often a result of lugging around excess weight.

These findings remind us that there are health consequences of extra weight gain.  More health professionals need to pay attention to their client’s weight over the years addressing the issue when they notice gains.  To help individuals reach a healthy body weight, more preventative measures are needed to educate the public on eating healthy diets and encouraging physical activity.