A study that evaluates life expectancy as a function of height and weight was conducted to evaluate one aspect of the entropy theory of aging, which hypothesizes that aging is the result of increasing disorder within the body, and which predicts that increasing mass lowers life span. The way that our bodies run through a number of biological processes entails that we can’t live forever. The theory behind this predicts that aging is due to the increased disorder throughout our body. The findings in 1978 and 1990 showed that athletes and famous people live longer when they’re shorter and lighter– it’s an inverse relationship between height and longevity or life span. This discovery supports this theory of mainly increased mass inhibiting extended living.
When compiling information on 373 male veterans from the U.S.A.’s Department of Veterans Affairs you will come to understand that if a man were to fall between a height bracket of 5 feet, 10 inches tall and 6 feet, 5 inches tall it was found that the average life expectancy for this particular group was 8 years more than those men found between the height brackets at 4 feet, 10 inches tall and 5 feet, 11 inches. It has also been discovered that men who weighed under 58 kilograms could expect to live 8 years longer than those males weighing in over 90 kilograms! These statistics were collected by systematic observation via research into human lifespans as well as receipt of personal health histories.
The optimal weight for men is above 80 kg and below 90 kg according to this study. At 63.6 kg or less, men live for 7.7 years longer on average than those who are larger than 90 kg! This seems to go against popular beliefs that people at a heavier weight live longer on average. While it may seem counterintuitive, our study shows that having a higher BMI (Body Mass Index) can cause heart problems due to high cholesterol and other factors commonly associated with obesity like diabetes or hypertension. So here we have it – if you want a longer life (at least among men), then don’t be so skinny (lower BMI!) or too fat since weight loss can also reduce overall longevity and increase the risk of premature death due to disease.
Naijateck is Nigeria’s information and communication portal for technology news, Modern Research and Vital information
