Posted on 08/15/2011 11:14:26 AM PDT by Mount Athos
Being fat can actually be good for you -- with obese people who are otherwise healthy living just as long as slim people -- according to a Canadian study published Monday.
The study, published in the Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism journal, found that obese people with no other health problems were also less likely to die of cardiovascular causes than their slim counterparts.
Researchers at York University, Toronto, said the study of thousands of obese Americans indicated that trying and failing to lose weight may be even worse for obese individuals than remaining fat.
Lead author Jennifer Kuk, an assistant professor at York University, said, "Our findings challenge the idea that all obese individuals need to lose weight."
She added, "Moreover, it's possible that trying -- and failing -- to lose weight may be more detrimental than simply staying at an elevated body weight and engaging in a healthy lifestyle that includes physical activity and a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables."
Kuk's team looked at 6,000 obese Americans over a 16-year span, comparing their mortality risk with that of lean individuals.
They found that obese individuals who had no (or only mild) physical, psychological or physiological impairments had a higher body weight in early adulthood, were happier with this higher body weight, and had attempted to lose weight less frequently during their lives. However, these individuals were also more likely to be physically active and consume a healthy diet, according to the study.
Researchers used the Edmonton Obesity Staging System (EOSS), a new grading tool for obesity which combines body mass index (BMI) readings with other medical factors to identify which individuals should attempt to lose weight.
Kuk stressed that in order to determine whether or not they should lose weight, obese individuals should see a physician to be evaluated using the EOSS criteria.
Sounds like a feel good study for fatties.
Go to any retirement home, you will see NO obese folks in their 80s and 90s.
My brother was heavy.
He lost weight a couple of times with dieting.
Gained it all back plus a few pounds.
He was on his third diet when he dropped over dead at 66.
In his diets he would lose his strength and look terrible.
I miss him-—Badly.
Note the caveat, “...with no other health problems.”
Thing is, if you are obese, chances are you do have health problems. Most likely, one of the major problems is cardiac disease. And you probably aren’t aware of it.
A bogus study, to say the least.
And I see this study comes from a Canadian organization.
Is this the type of research and development we have to look forward to once Obama Death Care takes full hold?
To me, this is a healthy diet. MMMMMMMM! Yummy!
Signed,
a fatty (you twit.)
i never understood the appeal of country gravy
Live fast, die young, leave a good looking body.
Also never get to know your grand children, or see them get married. Decisions have consequences, one’s body weight is nothing more than a string of decisions.
You got that right. A few extra pounds? Fine. But the average weight of middle aged adults today is absurd. I know so many people who have aches and pains and are always complaining...I just look them in the eye and say “LOSE WEIGHT.” It’s not the cure for everything, but it will always help. How do I know? I’ve struggled with weight my whole life..it is a daily chore. But it’s worth it. I maintain a healthy weight and I feel good. I want to cry when I see young girls who are morbidly obeses and their lives are effected, whether they admit it or not. If an overweight girl tells you she is ok with her body, SHE IS LYING.
Dean Wormer would not approve of this message. That is all.
You hit the nail perfectly. They must be describing the fat people that eat ten pounds of atlantic salmon, three loaves of whole wheat bread (unfortified with iron), one dozen hard apples, and work 16 hours per day as a lumberjack.
Yes exactly right. Fat people “... with no other health problems” were compared to skinny people - with or without other health problems.
Some people can carry that weight and not develop “other health problems” - good for them. But they are not usual.
Usually fat people develop a HOST of health problems.
The moral of the story. Enjoy life. Eat, drink, and be merry, but practice moderation. When it's your time, it's your time. Would you rather enjoy your life to the fullest and die at 70, or deny yourself and "eat like a rabbit" and live to 90 but spend your last 15 years drooling in some nursing home bed.
“I’v struggled with weight my whole life...”
It is a chore and a true struggle. I’m not sure if the article really defines “fat”.. is it twenty pounds over weight? Thirty? A 100? A lot of excess weight does destroy your knees, hips and joints. So... you and I struggle! If we didn’t, we wouldn’t be as healthy.
“To me, this is a healthy diet. MMMMMMMM! Yummy!”
There is color (green) on that plate. It’s all good! n/s
“Go to any retirement home, you will see NO obese folks in their 80s and 90s.”
Of course not. Most are there because they have Alzheimer’s, dementia, or a stroke.
So they can’t feed themselves, usually have no appetite, and are often on a stomach tube.
Has nothing to do with the truth or falsehood of this study.
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