Being overweight 'may be less unhealthy'

[Northerner]

Being overweight may not be as unhealthy as it was 40 years ago, Danish research suggests.

The study found the "moderately" overweight now had lower rates of early death than those who were normal weight, underweight or obese.

The work, published in JAMA, looked at many thousands of people's height, weight and death rates at three different time periods since the 1970s.

A UK doctor said it did not mean being overweight was healthy or desirable.

And advice about preventing obesity should remain.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-36258515

Sigh! Really not helpful, is it? 🙄

 

[Robin]

Being overweight may not be as unhealthy as it was 40 years ago, Danish research suggests.

The study found the "moderately" overweight now had lower rates of early death than those who were normal weight, underweight or obese.

The work, published in JAMA, looked at many thousands of people's height, weight and death rates at three different time periods since the 1970s.

A UK doctor said it did not mean being overweight was healthy or desirable.

And advice about preventing obesity should remain.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-36258515

Sigh! Really not helpful, is it? 🙄

The article I read about this had a quote from someone who said that these days, 'the overweight' includes all the fit athletes whose muscle mass and bone density, not bodyfat, tips them over a BMI of 25. In addition, BMI is not accurate at the top and bottom ends. He suggested that the fault lay with the BMI measuring system, and that measuring your height with a piece of string, folding it in half and making sure it went easily round your waist, was a much better indictator.

 

[Ralph-YK]

Diabetic nurse on the course I'm doing mentioned BMI. She said it's not perfect, however it's the best we've got.

 

[Annette]

Basically, if you're overweight nowadays, don't worry, we can treat what would have killed you in the past. Hmmm...

 

[trophywench]

The piece of string thing - I'm 5ft 3 and a bit so that means with a waist up to 31.5 ins I'm OK.

Oh damn, it's 32" ........

Mind you on diagnosis weighing in at 6st 9lbs (and the full 5'4" before I shrank) my waist was still 27" - cos I've never really had one! (a waist LOL)