Health-Hack.com

Overweight = Good; Obese = Bad. What?

April 20th, 2005

Researchers at the National Cancer Institute and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have had some interesting findings. According to their studies, people who are overweight, but are not “clinically obese” (as determined by the Body Mass Index) are the healthiest in terms of mortality. Being underweight or the “perfect” weight were not found to be as advantageous. The test did not factor in concerns such as quality of life, or even disability and disease.

These results are not particularly surprising, as the BMI has been controversial. It does not differentiate between those who are “overweight” due to body fat versus body builders with extra muscle tissue. Likewise it does not care if you are a man or a woman. BMI is simply calculated by correlating your height with your weight.

See an in depth article on this research in the NYT.

This is perhaps the ultimate in YMMV.

**Sponsor: Disc of Light Media has relaxation and meditation CDs and MP3s to help you calm the chaos in your life!**

>Add to Del.icio.us | Add to Digg | Click here to send this page to a friend.
Entry Filed under: Fitness