Researchers split on the risks of being somewhat overweight

by Larissa Brown (Subscribe to Larissa Brown's posts)
Aug 23rd 2006 5:59PM

Categories: Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment

The Wall Street Journal reported today [subscription required] on a new study in the New England Journal of Medicine, which shows an increased risk of earlier death among people who are overweight at age 50.

I wrote recently about my desire to remain in the overweight category, even once I reach my own weight goal of 150 pounds. Ater reading what WSJ has to say about this study, I'm still sticking with my plan.

The new study - by scientists at the National Cancer Institute - was conducted among older people who were asked to recall what their weight was at age 50, a method designed to correct for the "dynamic" nature of peoples' weights as they age. Also a method my grandma (who lived to be 93 and smoked every day of her life) would have called "tricky." Though so far everyone seems to agree that "obese" people are at greater risk of earlier death, they are now officially split on those of us who are just a bit fat and pretty fit.

In my opinion, all these studies about weight and earlier death beg the question earlier than what? We're all going to die and we're not sure when. This new study has not convinced me that losing an extra 10 pounds will change my chances.

[Image based on a photo by northern california.]

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Comments (4)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

D.G. 8-24-2006 @ 8:06AM

I totaly agree! Besides everyone in the US has this horrible fear of death. why? I was listening to a theologian the other day on a podcast and he was reading from an old medival text and it was saying how they never wanted a suddun death...they wanted it long so they could forgive thier enemies (most of te time they were fmaily, heh heh) and how they called for their prest befroe they called for their doctor, why? because they feared God more than they feard death, ha ha.... just thought that was interesting!

You know what every dr. will call all of thier patients? dead. Your right we all die, so all the more reason to live this life while we have it...granted getting totally fat is not what I am saying just like you, but I support ya! Thanks for the blog and man I am loving my Nike+ system!

Gabe Little 8-24-2006 @ 11:06AM

According to the experts, I should weigh a maximum of 175lbs for my height. I'm currently weighing in at 200lbs, after losing 75lbs. If I get down to 175 I will be a stick figure. I'm going for a goal weight of 185-190. I will still be overweight according to the experts but I doubt it in actuality.

AnaBell 8-24-2006 @ 5:03PM

Someone should make a study about the impact of weight related obsession on the quality of life and longevity versus being at the expert recommended weight. It's dilussional to think that there is no negative impact of always trying to weight less. Or the stress of not earning enough to buy just organic food.

Leslie Filip 8-24-2006 @ 6:08PM

Sorry to poop in the sandbox here, but a large number of people think a "stick figure" looks skinny only because they compare it to what they see around themselves every day their whole life. In America two thirds of us are overweight or outright obese, and most do not even know it and would deny it. When I am even 5-10 pounds over my ideal weight, I begin to feel it big time. Many people have never been at their ideal weight, so have nothing to compare their present state to. As someone who has switched over to organic food, I agree there is severe sticker shock. In a way the prices can help you control your desire to overeat. In the long run, though, the more organic food people buy, the more commonplace it will be and the prices will go down. Lastly, caloric restriction is currently the only proven method for both enhancing quality of life and simultaneously extending it.

Have a nice day!