Study : The Lancet , was conducted in part by the eminent epidemiologist Sir Richard Peto of the University of Oxford . Obesity shortens life by 2 - 4 years ; the very obese could live up to 10 years . Higher mortality because of diabetes , cardiovascular , heart and liver disease . Cancer rates also go up with increasing weight , but not as much as other diseases . Another study had found that being overweight , but not obese , did n't shorten life .
Study : Obesity shortens life by 2 - 4 years ; the very obese could live up to 10 years . Higher mortality because of diabetes , cardiovascular , heart and liver disease . Cancer rates also go up with increasing weight , but not as much as other diseases . Another study had found that being overweight , but not obese , did n't shorten life .