High Body Weight and BMI
Sumo wrestlers aim for large body mass, often with a BMI in the obese range. Higher body weight is linked to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and joint stress. These conditions can shorten lifespan when combined with other factors.
Diet and Lifestyle Patterns
Traditional sumo training includes large meals, limited sleep, and intense exercise on a full stomach. This pattern can increase visceral fat and metabolic strain. After retirement, many wrestlers keep eating habits that raise long-term disease risk.
Health Outcomes and Data
Studies show sumo wrestlers may have higher rates of heart failure, diabetes, and liver issues compared with the general population. A review of athlete health notes that extreme body mass can strain organs over time. For more on athlete longevity, see this overview from the National Institutes of Health: athlete health and longevity.
