This week's Journal of the American Medical Association contains the results of a study carried out at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. Federal researchers have concluded that it is possible to be 'fat and fit,' that is, the dangers of being overweight appear to be exaggerated.
Katherine M Flegal a senior research scientist has stated that it cannot be said that excess weight increases your mortality risk for any and all causes of death. The researchers who analyzed 2.3 million adult deaths have arrived at startling conclusions.
They found that being overweight, not obese, does not increase the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease or cancer. In fact carrying a few extra pounds appears to significantly reduce the risk of dying from many diseases compared to normal weight people.These diseases include bronchitis, emphysema, pneumonia, tuberculosis, blood poisoning, liver disease. falls, suicide, Alzheimer and Parkinson's.
The exceptions were kidney disease and diabetes where being overweight does appear to increase the risk of premature death.
The net conclusion was that being overweight was associated with a decreased all- cause mortality overall. It is speculated that the modestly overweight may recover faster or survive certain diseases better due their greater nutritional reserves or higher lean body mass.The age group that seemed to benefit the most were people aged 25 to 59.
The results of the study have come in for sharp criticism. It is argued that this study has ignored the large body of evidence available which outlines the hazards of being overweight. Others have welcomed it and point out that the risks associated with being overweight have lately been blown out of proportion.
The debate is likely to continue for some time.But it is certain that there is no impending epidemic of diabetes, heart disease, cancer and other serious ailments.Most importantly, this good news has come with Thanksgiving and Christmas round the corner. The turkey and the pudding and the chocolates are going to taste better this year.