The idea that being overweight has health risks is a part of our national and medical identity. It is even reflected in our standards of beauty. However, new scientific facts are creating a massive paradigm shift in the truth about being overweight.
New studies in Japan and North America have shown that people who are slightly overweight (meaning a BMI of 25-29.9, or about 150-179 pounds) have lower mortality rates than people who are at "target" weight. What was even more surprising was that being underweight was more dangerous than being obese. In the North American study, being underweight was actually twice as deadly as being obese.
Obviously, this kind of information isn't easily digested by a culture that idolizes skinny models and obsesses over weight loss. But the fact that it's unpopular shouldn't detract from the finding's overall value. Furthermore, other studies are backing up the trend. For example, a study in Australia found that the health benefit to being overweight was found in the elderly as well. It is highly like that more such studies will be forthcoming.
All of this confirms a hypothesis that many have long suspected: the BMI index itself is flawed. Without adequate controls for things like muscle mass and bone density, it gives an incomplete picture and may misinform people as to how healthy they really are.
Recent scientific studies have also shown us what many have long suspected: diets don't work. For those that manage to lose any weight, the majority gain it back, and then some, over the next few years. Given that weight loss is for many an unattainable goal, and that new health science has shown it may not even be desirable, one might expect health care professionals to stop encouraging their slightly overweight patients to diet. Even for those described as "morbidly obese," studies show that dieting may be almost completely ineffective.
Many find dieting stressful, and unlike being overweight, we know stress is unhealthy. Some studies have even linked it to acceleration of the aging process. At some point, our culture, our medicine, and our beauty standards will likely change to reflect our new understanding of our world. That process, though, won't occur overnight. Given that, learning feel beautiful at one's present, healthy weight might be the best option. In the end, learning to be "fat and happy" may be the most healthy possible advice.
Sources:
- Boyles, Salynn. Web MD, "Study: Overweight People Live Longer," 2009.
- Parker Pope, Tara. The New York Times, "More Evidence that Diets Don't Work," 2008.
- Yomiuri, Shimbun. Physorg.com, "Japanese Study Shows Overweight Live the Longest," 2009.
- O'Brian, Jennifer. UCSF, "UCSF-led study suggests link between psychological stress and cell aging," 2004.
- Warren, Danielle. The Guardian, "Study: Diets Fail to Produce Long Term Weight Loss," 2007.
- Hope, Jenny. Daily Mail, "Obese Indicator Could be Flawed," 2006.
- Flicker, Leona. BBC, "Overweight Elderly 'Live Longer," 2010.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Jared Plotkin - I recently graduated from UC Irvine and I am trying to make a career out of freelance writing. I enjoy writing about a wide variety of ...
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