Table 3 Loss of life expectancy due to smoking, high body mass index and the long term effects of high acute radiation exposure.

Smoking

Male doctor who is a lifetime smoker compared to non-smoker.

10

Ref. [6]. Average smoking habit: 18 a day from age 18.

Obesity

White male aged 35 who is obese (BMI = 30.0–39.9) or severely obese (BMI >40): risk relative to BMI = 24.

Obese:

1–4 ^a

Severely obese:

4–10^a

Ref. [26]. There is controversy over the BMI-mortality relationship (see text). However, increased mortality at BMI > 30 has been observed in a number of studies, though there is uncertainty in excess mortality rate and hence YOLL.

Radiation

Atomic bomb survivor who was in the most exposed group: within 1500 metres of the hypocentre. Shielded whole body kerma > 1 Gy, mean 2.25 Gy.

2.6

(1.3–5.2)^a

Ref. [19]. Only represents YOLL of bomb survivors. Few people close to the hypocentre survived the combination of blast effects, burns and ARS.