More evidence: fat =/= unhealthy

[velvetpage]

Fat people are only slightly more likely than thin people to have high colesterol or high blood pressure.

Comments

[sassy-fae.livejournal.com]

I'm with you on this one. People who are obese (BMI of over 30) have a 10-50% increased risk of death from all causes, compared with those of a healthy weight. Even if it's only 10%, that's high enough for me! Sure, the blood pressure/cholesterol might not get you, but the risk of diabetes complications, stroke, organ disease, cancer, and respiratory problems just might.

My BMI nearly hit 30 this year, which was a bad sign. After 25, your BMI should not equal your age!

On a totally unrelated tangent, that's my favourite XKCD, and every time I see your icon it makes me smile :)

[kibbles.livejournal.com]

To me, this is a study that should be used to make medical professionals look at the whole person and not just the scales. Like my doctor did the other day when my EKG had a teeny abnormality on it. As I said to him, the ER saw a person who needed to ose 60 pounds, not one who already lost 90. He saw one who lost 90 and had excellent health for the most part over all and was able to say yes, Kibbles, you are ok. My fear is that some people (not velvetpage) will use this to justify not watching their weight, which IS a part of overall health. As it said, this didn't even check cardiac health, just BP and cholesterol.

For me, the best part about losing weight was my poor poor knees. They thank me. ;)

I love that XKCD but I love the commercial more. It makes me smile and I'll watch it on youtube now and then, and think of what I love.