Extra Pounds May Lead to Longer, Healthier Life!!
A new study out, published last week in the journal of Obesity, finds that being overweight won’t kill you and may be the key to a longer life. The study found that overall, people who were overweight but not obese — defined as a body mass index of 25 to 29.9 — were actually less likely to die than people of normal weight, defined as a B.M.I. of 18.5 to 24.9.
By contrast, people who were underweight, with a B.M.I. under 18.5, were more likely to die than those of average weight. Their risk of dying was 73 percent higher than that of normal weight people, while the risk of dying for those who were overweight was 17 percent lower than for people of normal weight.
The study creates controversy surrounding the optimal weight for adults. It suggests that the B.M.I. should perhaps be higher for adults, for having a little extra body weight has now been proven to be beneficial.
The study followed 11,326 adults, ages 25 and older, over a 12-year period of time and took into account smoking status, physical activity, age, gender and alcohol consumption.
“Overweight may not be the problem we thought it was,” said Dr. David H. Feeny, a senior investigator at Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research in Portland, Ore., and one of the authors of the study.
In general, being overweight has been seen as unhealthy, for obesity can lead to a number of health problems, such as diabetes and heart problems. The important thing to keep in mind is that this study suggests a little extra weight may be beneficial to one’s health, NOT being obese.
So does that mean people should run out to McDonald’s and order a 10 piece? No…It means that people who want to be healthy should maintain a healthy weight, and that current optimal B.M.I. weights for adults should perhaps be altered to fit the new findings.
So if you’re a little overweight, no need to worry! No need to run out to the gym or skip dinner tonight. You may even be healthier than you would be if you lost a few extra pounds.
For me, this study comes as a relief. In a culture that thrives on looking thin, this study helps make my current weight more excusable. It makes weight in general more flexible. As the study suggests, being thin should not be the ideal weight for anyone.
A major problem is that we live in a society that looks at thinness as the ideal weight, and constructs thinness as the only way to “look good.” So, the question remains whether you want to look good or live a longer, healthier life. I don’t think our society will take this study very seriously and change its ideals on beauty, so just what impact will the findings have?
Honestly, I don’t think it will have any major impact on anything. Like I said, it may come as a relief to many who have struggled with their weight and have tried to reach an optimal. I would like to see B.M.I. readjusted, however I think there needs to be more studies like this one in order for that to happen.
What do you all think? What impact do you think this study will have? Should people be more or less concerned with their weight now that being overweight isn’t as detrimental as we once thought?
By contrast, people who were underweight, with a B.M.I. under 18.5, were more likely to die than those of average weight. Their risk of dying was 73 percent higher than that of normal weight people, while the risk of dying for those who were overweight was 17 percent lower than for people of normal weight.
The study creates controversy surrounding the optimal weight for adults. It suggests that the B.M.I. should perhaps be higher for adults, for having a little extra body weight has now been proven to be beneficial.
The study followed 11,326 adults, ages 25 and older, over a 12-year period of time and took into account smoking status, physical activity, age, gender and alcohol consumption.
“Overweight may not be the problem we thought it was,” said Dr. David H. Feeny, a senior investigator at Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research in Portland, Ore., and one of the authors of the study.
In general, being overweight has been seen as unhealthy, for obesity can lead to a number of health problems, such as diabetes and heart problems. The important thing to keep in mind is that this study suggests a little extra weight may be beneficial to one’s health, NOT being obese.
So does that mean people should run out to McDonald’s and order a 10 piece? No…It means that people who want to be healthy should maintain a healthy weight, and that current optimal B.M.I. weights for adults should perhaps be altered to fit the new findings.
So if you’re a little overweight, no need to worry! No need to run out to the gym or skip dinner tonight. You may even be healthier than you would be if you lost a few extra pounds.
For me, this study comes as a relief. In a culture that thrives on looking thin, this study helps make my current weight more excusable. It makes weight in general more flexible. As the study suggests, being thin should not be the ideal weight for anyone.
A major problem is that we live in a society that looks at thinness as the ideal weight, and constructs thinness as the only way to “look good.” So, the question remains whether you want to look good or live a longer, healthier life. I don’t think our society will take this study very seriously and change its ideals on beauty, so just what impact will the findings have?
Honestly, I don’t think it will have any major impact on anything. Like I said, it may come as a relief to many who have struggled with their weight and have tried to reach an optimal. I would like to see B.M.I. readjusted, however I think there needs to be more studies like this one in order for that to happen.
What do you all think? What impact do you think this study will have? Should people be more or less concerned with their weight now that being overweight isn’t as detrimental as we once thought?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Bob Brooks on -
John, thanks for posting the latest data.
Clearly B.M.I. alone does not define good health. My Mom is Italian and growing up with mounds or pasta, extra red gravy with crusty bread and enormous Sunday entrees were standard. But, what I realize now is that the food was just a reason to gather. The Sunday meals were about maintaining relationships, laughing loud - - and feeding good mental health. If that's not a key to a long and healthy life…I'm not sure what is.
My Nonnie (grandmother) died at 94…and yes, she always carried a few extra pounds.
- Bob
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