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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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Overweight People Live Longer: Study

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(Newser) – A few extra pounds can actually be good for you, the Globe and Mail reports. A recent long-term study of Canadian health records shows that people classified as overweight—with a Body Mass Index of 25 to 30—are 17% less likely to die than those with “normal” BMI, between 18.5 and 25. The study also found that extremely thin and obese people have a far higher mortality rate.

The researchers called for health officials to heed their results, but were quick to qualify them. Overweight people “live longer but how well do they live?” asked one study author. “Our results do not imply that if you're in the normal weight range, you should go out and try to gain weight.” The researchers said a little extra fat may help people fight off illness and keep sturdy in old age.

An overweight man.
An overweight man.   (AP Photo)
An overweight woman.
An overweight woman.   (AP Photo)
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I think this is part of an accumulation of evidence that indicates that organizations like Health Canada should rethink the evidence on their classification of BMI categories. - David Feeny, Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research in Oregon

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TerrifiedCitizen
Jun 27, 09 3:35 PM CDT
In my studies, the sacrifices the ancient Israelite's were commanded to to perform (while they were still being utilized as an example by God to the rest of us), included the 'fatty' pieces of the animals as the most valuable parts. I've always wondered how something that God determined was 'most valuable' could be bad for His creation to eat? Of course, the key no doubt has something to do with all things in moderation; and what red blooded American ever considered moderation, until perhaps lately? Reply
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JonmarkP
Jun 27, 09 3:56 PM CDT
The key is that the Bible (besides being a compendium of ignorance, superstition. misinformation, barbarism and patriarchy) is about 98% bullshit. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
Toon
Jun 27, 09 11:58 PM CDT
Not in this case. The priests got to eat the sacrifices, so it's no surprise that they determined that best parts of the best animals be sacrificed.
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ksu92
Jun 27, 09 5:32 PM CDT
"This study brought to you by Tim Horton's TimBits!!!" Reply
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-1
Deebles
Jun 27, 09 6:50 PM CDT
I understand your point Terrified. When I took The History of the Old Testament at a Jesuit University, the teacher, an elderly priest who had spent twenty years decoding the Dead Sea Scrolls, said that the mysteries of the bible include using fat for burnt offerings. It of course would make the offering so much easier to burn while removing from consumption the parts that made for poor caloric nutrition. No protein in fat. But it tastes good. Reply
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-3

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