Weight-Management:

A balanced lifestyle is the key to success in a weight management program. More than 1/3 of the population of women and 1/4 of the population of men are trying to lose weight in this country at an expense of $30 billion a year. The causes of weight problems were obvious and simple in the past. The mark of wealth was an abundance of food and plenty of idle time. Our culture demands more education and discrimination from us in order to function happily and with ease in our daily lives. Our bodies are being asked to cope as well as our minds. Overweight is a sign that we are not keeping the balance between the demands of society and the needs of our mind and body.

Lack of exercise and the abundance of non-nutritive food is commonplace these days and still have their place as a cause for weight problems. Now, as the role of technology has become more pervasive and an integral part of our society, new sources of this problem have emerged:

• Depleted food sources of vitamins and minerals
• Electromagnetic stresses
• Petrochemical toxin exposure
• Lack of time for relaxation and recreation
• Food allergies
• Pesticides, herbicides
• Synthetic chemical fertilizers
• Depletion of digestive enzymes from overeating, excessive stress
• Glandular dysfunction from lack of exercise, improper diet, lack of sunshine

The body grows, repairs and maintains itself through a complex set of interactions and relationships. These basic chemical reactions depend upon nutrients received from our food and the health of the body's physiology. Are we receiving food that is depleted of vital nutrients because of today's agriculture norms, i.e. chemical fertilizers and overuse of the soil? Can you identify the substances that you read on the labels of food? Are they nutritive or detrimental? Are you aware of the effects of electromagnetic stress on your physiology and your metabolism? Are the enzymes needed to breakdown and absorb nutrients still intact after the stresses of poor diet, lack of exercise, toxic exposure, free radical pathology? Are your cells starving for the proper nutrients? Has the body's ability to eliminate the waste products of everyday metabolic activity been compromised by any of the above factors as well as our cultural lack of exercise?

For instance, if the body has difficulty eliminating the by- products of metabolism through the normal channels (urination, sweating, bowel evacuation) then these toxins will be an irritant to the system and this will produce "water weight" which protects the body tissues from these stored toxins. Inorganic toxins from pesticides, chemical fertilizers, synthetic drugs, food dyes, heavy metals (dental fillings, water sources) are known to be stored in fat tissue in order to protect cells that are vital to life from these life threatening toxins. Are you building up toxins faster that you are eliminating them?

Food addictions, which can sometimes lead to weight problems, can also be a result of an allergy to such foods. This can be the result of a leaky gut syndrome. In this situation the elimination function of the colon has been compromised by antibiotics taken orally or in our food. The ecosystem of living organisms within the colon environment has been disturbed and the tissues become permeable, leaking undigested food particles into the bloodstream, stressing the immune system and the enzyme system. So it could be said that a balanced weight management system begins with establishing a healthy digestive system.

As you learn how your body should function and become aware through observation how your body does function you will be more able to pinpoint those specific stresses affecting the optimum functioning of your body. Then you can incorporate this understanding into the design of your personalized weight loss and management program.

Research at the University of California at Davis has shown that out of a group of 700 women evaluated, who designed their own weight loss reduction plan, 80% had not regained the weight 2 years later. Medical Tribune 1/92. A balanced lifestyle proved effective in reducing and maintaining weight loss.

The following is an outline to support you in creating your own specialized program, in which the aim is to address all possible causes. This combined approach that offers a greater possibility of success.

1) Moderation of your eating:

The single greatest factor in health and longevity is eating less. The less you eat, the better you are able to digest, absorb and metabolize the nutrients in your food.

• Small frequent meals maintain blood sugar and disperse nutrients throughout the day closer to when they are needed.

Fasting or drastically reducing food intake can give the message to the body that it is starving. The body will respond to this message by slowing down the metabolism to make those calories stretch. Then the urge to binge emerges. You want to keep your metabolism from slowing down.
In order to prevent that, make sure that your diet contains at least 10 calories per pound of your ideal bodyweight, i.e. 120 lbs=1200 calories.

• Eat until your stomach is two thirds full.

Conserve your enzymes. Give them a chance to help out with elimination as well as digestion. If the body doesn't have to store any excess, it will use the energy already stored in the fat tissues.

• Refrain from drinking with your meals.

The enzymes will be diluted by fluids which will lead to maldigestion creating more waste to be eliminated.

• Avoid very hot or cold foods or drinks.

Enzyme action is very sensitive to temperature. Enzymes are one of our most valuable resources as every action of nutrient breakdown and transport to the cells is dependent on them. Enzymes are also needed to carry the waste from the cell, to the organs of elimination. You see, enzymes are catalysts. Catalysts make things happen.

• Follow all the rules on the chart
• Create your own diet plan
• Reduce carbohydrate intake

Dr. Atkins, a well known M.D. who uses natural methods and supplementation in his practice, has found that 90% of individuals trying to lose weight will lose it with a reduction in carbohydrate intake and 10% will not benefit at all.

Another interesting fact about carbohydrates is that the enzyme for digesting them is in the saliva. In this day it is common to hear mothers saying, "Don't gulp down your food", but most of us are so busy that we don't even notice when we take two chews and down it goes. Mixing the food with the saliva thoroughly will naturally reduce your intake of carbo-hydrates. Consciously try to chew your food at least 100 times per mouthful. Let the enzymes do their job. You'll save on enzymes, and prevent maldigestion of your food and an extra toxic burden on your organs of elimination.

• Regulate quantity and quality of fat intake

Do not add extra fat in cooking. Use olive oil or butter sparingly for flavor. Avoid oxidized or potentially rancid fats, i.e. fried foods, junk foods.

Use fresh, raw nuts and seeds, especially soaked, as a base for salad dressings instead of oil.

• Do not shop when you are hungry

2) Regular and consistent exercise

Start with daily walks or swimming and work up to 3 times a week of 20 minutes of aerobic activity. Then the goal is 3-4 times a week of 40-60 minutes. To be aerobically efficient and fit will ensure the expenditure of more calories and faster weight loss. A longer low intensity workout that burns a lot of calories is best because: a) less glycogen is burned and there is a more rapid workout recovery, b) higher post workout energy levels, c) lower post workout appetite.

• Determine resting and working pulse

Heart rate range:
220 - your age = maximum rate
Then multiply result by 60% and 70% for the exercise heart rate range

Example: 220-40 =180
180 x.60=108 ; 180 x .70=126
heart rate range= 108-126

• Increase circulation

After your nice, warm shower give your circulation a boost with a cold rinse. Build the time of that cold rinse up to 5 minutes.

• Stimulate lymph drainage

Using a rebounder from 5 to 20 minutes daily will help stimulate lymph drainage.

• Oxygenate the cells to increase metabolism

The greater your fitness the more oxygen your muscles can use. Consider adding CellFood to your water.

• Utilize stored energy

ATP is a molecule that stores energy for all the physiological functions of the body. Carbohydrates, fats and proteins continuously participate in the creation of new ATP. One molecule of glucose plus one molecule of oxygen will yield 36 molecules of ATP. That one molecule of glucose without the oxygen will yield only two molecules of ATP. Fat contains more than twice the potential energy of carbohydrates. One molecule of fat plus one molecule of oxygen yields 441 molecules of ATP.

• Muscle tissue burns more calories than fat tissue

3) Supplementation to facilitate digestion and elimination and insure the presence of all nutrients for balanced metabolic functioning.

Starfire can offer you a complete program to support your body in reestablishing a new level of balance.

Let's begin with basic support for your enzyme system.
DIGESTZYMES will supply enzymes to a depleted system. The herbs and organ tissues in DIGESTZYMES stimulate the different organs in the body to begin to produce more healthy functioning enzymes. A healthy digestive system will lead to a healthy elimination system.

Now let's ensure that the body is receiving all the nutrients necessary for optimum functioning. Our complete nutritional supplement, STARGOLD, is our maximum potency formulation. There are over 80 nutrients in this formula including amino acids, free radical quenchers, and oxygenating substances.

Your body may not have the nutrients it needs to use the energy from your food, storing it all away in fat tissues.
Let's address the elimination process.

STARFIBER is a combination of soluble and insoluble fiber plus minerals and soothing herbs making this a balanced product for the stimulation of bowel elimination. There are studies that implicate fiber in the prevention or alleviation of irritable bowel syndrome, high cholesterol, gallstone formation, diabetes, colon cancer, arteriosclerosis and, of course, constipation. Thirty to forty grams of fiber are suggested on a daily basis. It is found in fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains. This fiber intake from your food may be enhanced by supplementation with STARFIBER. Fiber will always stimulate the growth of good bowel bacteria which act as the waste removal crew of the colon. These good bacteria also produce B vitamins and Vitamin K as well enzymes necessary for good bowel elimination.

This wonderful bacterial support is readily destroyed by antibiotics taken orally or consumed in our foods, and by excessive stress. This is the reason for FRIENDLY FLORA which will help to rebuild this delicate ecosystem. FRIENDLY FLORA, has five different types of good bacteria which have been freeze-dried to insure their survival.

If food allergies are suspect, then FOOD TOLERANCE will help to relieve the stress of allergic responses in the body and give it a chance to respond to everyday needs such as nutrient transport and waste removal. LEMON GRASS A will help to repair the lining of the bowel which is usually unhealthy when allergies are present. The immune system will then benefit by carrying less of a burden from undigested food particles escaping from the bowels into the bloodstream.

Lastly, another star to add to our team: WEIGHTLESS. Weight-Less packs a dynamic duo of Chromium Picolinate and Citrin, both of which reduce stored fats. It is formulated in a base of beneficial oat and cellulose fibers.

The research on chromium picolinate shows us its value, from lowering insulin requirements and increasing HDL levels 16% to increasing longevity. One recent double blind study by Dr. Gilbert Kaats in San Antonio gives the main reason for including this in a weight loss program. Those who received 400-800 mcg of chromium picolinate daily for 72 days showed an average loss of 4.2 pounds of fat and a gain of 1.4 pounds of muscle. This was without any restriction in calories or increase in exercise. So imagine the results of this added to a program that does include increased exercise and modification of the diet! Plus having an Chromium also helps to regulate the blood sugar level, keeping hunger and tiredness at bay.

Unfortunately, many natural weight loss products work by thermogenesis, containing undesirable ingredients like caffeine and ma huang, the herbal source of the drug ephedrine. Both of these herbal drugs overstimulate the body, leaving it ultimately more depleted in energy than it was before. Even though weight loss may be more rapid, it is harder to sustain, because the metabolism is more depleted of nutrients like Chromium, which also happen to be important for health and longevity.

Citrin is a natural extract of Garcinia cambogia, a tropical fruit. The active ingredient is HCA, which stands for (-) hydroxycitric acid. It is a lipogenesis inhibitor, which means that it prevents the production of fat from carbohydrates. It reduces hunger, makes less food more satisfying, reduces production of fat and cholesterol, and even seems to stimulate the metabolism to burn off more calories. Extracts from this fruit have been used for centuries in Asia as digestive aids and in food preparation. Over 70 papers have been published in the scientific literature involving research on HCA, with no reported side-effects. This safety record stands in stark contrast to most weight loss products. Stimulants used to suppress appetite, such as amphetamines, phenyl-propanolamin (PPA) and ephedrine-containing herbs such as ma huang, lead to nervousness, insomnia, rapid heart beat, drug tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. None of these effects are seen with HCA. HCA tends to reduce calorie intake by about 10% because it shunts carbohydrates where they belong - to form glycogen, rather than excess fat. This actually provides greater reserves for cellular energy and can help prevent hypoglycemia, muscle fatigue and other symptoms. Thus, you get more energy from less food, and gradually and safely approach and maintain your optimum weight.

Weight-Less is best taken 30 to 60 minutes before eating, and results are up to 700% better when taken two or three times a day rather than just once. The maximum effect for an average size person is seen with a dose of 6 to 12 grams of Cambogia extract per day, but much lower doses are effective when combined with GTF Chromium. In addition, it helps to maintain a healthy diet. We recommend a Weight-Less dosage of two capsules taken three times a day before meals, supplying 3 grams of Citrin plus 300 micrograms of Chromium picolinate.

These few supplements will support your weight management program.

4) Encourage healthy thinking and healthy balanced habits

• Schedule regular times for exercise
• Keep a diary of foods eaten daily bringing awareness of your habits
• Plan your meals in advance
• Acknowledge the rhythms of life.

There is an ebb and flow of events that lead from one state of being to the next. The Five Phases of Health can be applied to your journey towards a thinner you living a balanced lifestyle.

RULES OF NUTRITION:

Rule	Prevention	Avoid: Risk
Freshness	Eat only FRESH foods that will spoil and eat them before they do. Steam your vegetables or eat them raw. A baked apple or pear may prove a satisfying breakfast or dessert treat to keep this process fun.	Don't eat highly processed foods such as sugar, white bread, cookies, crackers, TV dinners, concentrated synthetic protein drinks or foods containing chemical preservatives, dyes, artificial colors, etc.
Balance	See that 40% of your calories are proteins, 30% fats, and 30% carbohydrates. In the reduction of carbohydrates, reduce the complex carbohydrates: rice, bread, potatoes, noodles, and increase the fruits and vegetables. Those limited complex carbohydrates that are in your program should be from whole grains. Fruit and vegetables are high in fiber and carbohydrates making them very filling and low in calories.	Don't eat foods that lack nutritional value. Avoid refined and prepared foods.
Meat	Use a number of different animal foods including lamb, poultry, fish. Either bake or broil. Remove the skin of the chicken before cooking and avoid the fat. Some fish, like sole, can be steamed.	Don't overuse any one meat, especially beef. Avoid pork.
Variety	Use organic organ meats 1-2 times a week, liver, heart, kidney, brains, tongue and giblets.	Don't constantly use the muscle meat which is the least nutritious part of the animal.
Eggs	Use fertile eggs, as they provide more nutrients and are less likely to contain antibiotic sprays. When you cook them they should be either poached, or hard or soft boiled.	Don't use eggs produced by hens in small cages, force fattened, sprayed with insecticides.
Oils	In cooking, use sesame or olive oil made by cold pressed methods, or butter. (All in small quantities.)	Don't use hydrogenated or heat treated oils with pre-servatives.
Frying	Use olive oil for frying, and add onions and garlic to the oil before heating as they contain bioflavonoids which provide antioxidants preventing the oil from oxidizing. Oxidized foods create free radical damage in the body. WARNING: IN A WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM FRYING SHOULD BE COMPLETELY ELIMINATED.	Don't use deep fat frying as fatty acids break down at high temperatures and will create free radicals in the body.
Drinks	Drink water, natural fruit juices, raw milk. Emphasize the water. Use at least half your body weight in ounces daily, but only take 4 oz. at a time so as not to make the kidneys overwork. You can add lemon to your water to support the liver and the kidney in the cleansing process. Adding the lemons to your water quota, use no more than two lemons a day. Extended usage of lemons can be hard on the enamel of the teeth.	Don't drink soft drinks with or without sugar; avoid stimulation drinks which exhaust the adrenals. They have excessive amounts of phosphoric acid that disrupt the body's calcium metabolism and its ability to absorb nutrients, as well as causing the retention of excess water.
Fun	Use carob in place of chocolate.	Don't use chocolate as it interferes with mineral utilization, contains, caffeine, and is highly allergenic.
Organic	Try to use organically grown fruits and vegetables as much as possible.	Don't use foods that have been sprayed, fumigated, dyed, waxed or canned.
Seasoning	Use herbs to spark this adventure of balanced eating: garlic, onions, oregano, parsley, ginger, pepper, basil, cloves, curry, tumeric, rosemary, thyme, cilantro. Use honey, maple syrup, rice syrup, barley malt as sweetening in very small quantities or not at all.	Reduce salt. Use seasalt, kelp or soy sauce(without sugar, MSG). Avoid sugar, MSG.
Live	Use dairy products made with raw milk as much as possible. Alta Dena is a brand that makes their cheese from raw milk. Use yogurt with live cultures of lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidus.	Do not use processed dairy products like cheese spreads or yogurt sweetened with sugar.

Vary your menu and use liberally foods that are grown locally and in season.

Weight-Loss: Products

Weight-Loss Program Directions:

Our weight-loss program consists of the following products and their suggested dosages:

Product	Dosage-Suggestion	Schedule
StarGold	up to 4 capsules per day	Take early in day with meals (half with breakfast and half with lunch is suggested)
Friendly Flora	3 capsules a day	Take one capsule before or with each meal Open some capsules and take directly in the mouth between or after meals.
Chitosan X-tra	3 to 15 capsules a day	Take at least 3 hours apart from beneficial oils such as Flax oil, Fish oil (DHA, EPA), Evening Primrose oil (EPO), Hemp seed oil, Black Currant seed oil, Pumpkin Seed Oil, etc. Drink extra water with capsules. Take 3 at the same time. Take before bed if desired.
Kelp	6 tablets a day	Take 6 a day, with meals or chew or suck between meals, early in the day. Do not exceed 6 tablets per day for extended periods of time.
One Step	1/2 to 1 scoop (up to 6 times a day for fasting)	Take 1/2 to 1 scoop in water, juice or rice milk to replace breakfast or another meal daily.
7-Keto	1 capsule early in the day	Open capsule and hold powder in mouth for a few minutes before swallowing. Sublingual absorption bypasses the liver where 80% of DHEA is deactivated.
CLA	3 capsules a day	Take with food at least 3 hours away from Chitosan.
WeightLess	2 capsules 3 times a day	Take 30-60 minutes before meals.
GTF Chromium	1-3 a day	Take 30-60 minutes before meals or anytime for reducing sugar and carbohydrate cravings.
Relora®	2 a day	Take with food

If you have any initial cleansing or detox reaction, simply reduce the dosage of these products to a comfortable level to start with. Often, after just a few days, your body will be ready to increase the amounts gently.

In addition to your Starfire International products, it is important that you eat a balanced diet, emphasizing as much vegetables as you can eat. Lightly steamed vegetables are preferred, with a topping of Essential Fatty Acids. With this as the centerpiece of your diet, you can eat all you want, and still cleanse and lose weight efficiently.

The other most important element in your healthy weight management lifestyle is regular exercise. Rebounding on a soft-bounce rebounder is the most highly recommended. You can start with a gentle health bounce, where your feet stay in contact with the matt of the rebounder. You simply bounce up and down very gently, pumping the lymph throughout your body that depends upon this kind of movement to remove wastes from every cell in your body.

Synergy: Chromium and Citrin (Weight-Less)

Chromium and Citrin both reduce stored fats. GTF Chromium not only has been shown to reduce weight and body fat, it actually increases muscle mass, which makes maintaining optimal weight much easier. This is because the natural metabolic activity of muscle tissue burns a lot more calories than does fat storage tissue.

Unfortunately, many natural weight loss products work by thermogenesis, containing undesirable ingredients like caffeine and ma huang, the herbal source of the drug ephedrine. Both of these herbal drugs overstimulate the body, leaving it ultimately more depleted in energy than it was before. Even though weight loss may be more rapid, it is harder to sustain, because the metabolism is more depleted of nutrients like Chromium, which also happen to be important for health and longevity.

Citrin is a natural extract of Garcinia cambogia and Garcinia indica, both of which are tropical fruits. The active ingredient is HCA, which stands for the calcium salt (-) hydroxycitric acid (Lewis,Y.S. and Neelakantan, S. Phytochemistry,4:619, 1965). Extracts from these fruits have been used medicinally, as digestive aids, and in food preparation for centuries in Asia (Nadkarni,A.K.,1976. Indian Materia Medica Vol.1 Bombay:Popular Prakashan).
Over 70 papers have been published in the scientific literature involving research on HCA. These studies have shown Citrin to have at least three properties:

• Inhibition of fat synthesis and accumulation
• Appetite reduction
• Lowering of blood levels of triglycerides and cholesterol

In the 1970’s at Brandeis University and Hoffman LaRoche Laboratories (Lowenstein, J.M. Effect of (-) hydroxycitrate on fatty acid synthesis by rat liver in vivo. J. Biol. Chem.,1971;246:629-32; Sullivan,A.C., Hamilton,J.G., Miller,O.N,Wheatley,V.R. Inhibition of lipogenesis in rat liver by (-)hydroxycitrate. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 1972;150:183-190), it was found that weight gain was suppressed as a result of inhibition of fat synthesis and accumulation. This reduction in the formation of fats and lipids led to an increase in the metabolic rate at which fatty acids were broken down. This means there is an acceleration of fat burning. A reduction in hunger was also observed. HCA reduced calorie intake by about 10% or more (Sullivan,A.C., Triscari,J. Metabolic regulation as a control fro Lipid Disorders. Am.J.Clin.Nutr. 1977 30:767-776).

The findings of the appetite reducing effect of Citrin suggest that this property is centered in the liver as opposed to the idea that the the appetite control centers in the brain. As an appetite suppressant, there are no reported side-effects. This safety record stands in stark contrast to most weight loss products. Stimulants, used to suppress appetite, such as amphetamines, phenyl-propanolamine (PPA) and ephedrine-containing herbs such as ma huang lead to nervousness, insomnia, rapid heart beat, drug tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. None of these effects are seen with HCA.

Citrin was shown to lower blood levels of triglycerides and cholesterol (Majeed,M. 1994. Citrin: A Revolutionary,Herbal Approach to Weight Management. pp.55-59). It prevents the production of fat from carbohydrates. The carbohydrates are then more readily converted into glycogen which is reserve energy stored in the liver and muscles rather than in fat. This leads to “enhanced stamina and endurance without any increase in body weight.”(Majeed, 1994) This actually provides greater reserves for cellular energy and can help prevent hypoglycemia, muscle fatigue, and other symptoms. Thus, you get more energy from less food, and gradually and safely approach and maintain your optimum weight.

Process	Location	Oxygen Needed	Energy	Citrin’s Effect
Glycolysis	Cytoplasm	no	produces 2 to 3 ATP	neutral
Kreb’s Cycle	Mitochondria	yes	produces 2 ATP	neutral
Electron Transport	Mitochondria	yes	produces 32 ATP	neutral
Fat Synthesis	Cytoplasm	no	long term storage	inhibited
Glycogen Synthesis	Cytoplasm	no	available storage	stimulated

The physiological mechanisms of fatty acid metabolism that were found to be affected in these various studies are focussed around the final phase of the Kreb’s cycle, in the breakdown of carbohydrates and fats. The Kreb’s cycle takes place in the mitochondria which is known as the cell’s energy powerhouse. This cycle is a critical pathway for the synthesis of ATP. The compound ATP is the energy utilized for all physiological functions in the body. ATP liberated from glycogen offers a more readily available and easily sustained energy source than from fat. Citrin does not block the energy production enzymes in the mitochondria but only specific enzymes in the cytoplasm that produce fat from carbohydrates.

One of the important functions of the liver is to ensure that the blood continually has adequate concentrations of glucose to fuel the brain with energy. The brain cannot burn fat or protein, but only glucose, thus an even supply is critical. When blood sugar drops too low, perhaps in reaction to eating an allergenic food, the liver relies on glycogen stores to prevent hypoglycemia. Symptoms often include irritability, shakiness, fatigue or weakness. By increasing reserves of glycogen, Citrin may be of benefit here as well.

Combination Citrin and Chromium picolinate products are is best taken 30 to 60 minutes before eating, and results are up to 700% better when taken two or three times a day rather than just once. The maximum effect for an average size person is seen with a dose of 6 to 12 grams of Cambogia extract per day, but much lower doses are effective when combined with GTF Chromium. In addition, it helps to maintain a healthy diet. We recommend a Weight-Less dosage of up to two capsules taken three times a day before meals, supplying 3 grams of Citrin plus 300 mcg. of Chromium picolinate daily.

7/1/95
Weight Loss Testimonial

Richard West,
Starfire International Independent Representative

Over the past week I lost 11 lbs. How did I do it? Simple. I took 2 or 3 Starfire StarFiber Tabs 1/2 hour before each meal with a full 8 ounce glass of water. This gave me a full feeling before I ate. Along with that I took two Starfire Weight Less caps with another glass of water. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, breakfast consisted of two 8 ounce fresh fruit smoothies. Lunch was either skipped or a bowl of home made vegetable soup. Supper was a green salad with miso garlic dressing. I switched the soup and salad on Tuesday and Thursday for variety. I drank 8 to 10 glasses of filtered water and several glasses of jasmine tea with lots of limes, a little cayenne pepper, fresh ginger and a little honey. I also exercised every other day which included a 30 minute jog and two short hikes over the weekend.

People are getting fatter younger

People who are obese at 40 can lose up to seven years off their life, research has found.

The findings mean that being fat in middle-age increases the risk of dying early as much as smoking.

If a woman is obese and a smoker at 40, she risks dying 13.3 years sooner than a slim non-smoker.

An obese male smoker was found to lose 6.7 years from their life expectancy.

Dutch researchers analysed data from just under 3,500 volunteers in Framingham, Massachusetts, USA from 1948 to 1990.
 
They found that even if people lost weight later on in their lives, they were still at a higher risk of dying early.

Obese female non-smokers lost an average of 7.1 years and men lost 5.8.
Non-smokers who were overweight, but not obese, lost three years.

Prevention

Obesity is defined as having a body-mass index (BMI) of 30 or above. Doctors consider a BMI of 25 or under to be healthy.

A person's BMI is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by the square of height in metres.

Obesity is already known to increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.

Dr Anna Peeters, of the Netherlands Morbidity Research Unit, who led the study, said: "We concluded that obesity in adulthood is associated with a decrease in life expectancy of about seven years, both in men and women.

"The magnitude of this loss is similar to that associated with smoking.

"The smoking epidemic in the Western world is waning.

"However, a new fear should be the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity in young adults, which heralds another potentially preventable public health disaster."

She added: "This time, we must pay attention earlier and firmly establish research for more effective prevention and treatment as top priorities in public health."

Higher risk

Dr Serge Jabbour, director of the weight-loss clinic at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia said: "The message is that you have to work on your weight."

"If you wait a long time, the damage may have been done."

He added: "This study is saying that if you are overweight by your mid-30s to mid-40s, even if you lose some weight later on, you still carry a higher risk of dying."

Research published in Annals of Internal Medicine.
Source: BBC News.