Interesting article about weight and health

[firecat]

People with BMIs in the "overweight" and in some cases "obese" ranges are more likely to survive diabetes, kidney failure, and heart disease than people who are "normal weight." A New York Times article discusses this: In ‘Obesity Paradox,’ Thinner May Mean Sicker

Quote: "Perhaps, some experts say, we are not asking the right question in the first place. Maybe we are so used to framing health issues in terms of obesity that we are overlooking other potential causes of disease."

The article doesn't end with the usual comment such as "But don't use this as an excuse to eat a dozen donuts!"

I'm looking forward to the day when they stop calling it a "paradox" that some health conditions are less debilitating to people who weigh more.

Comments

[firecat]

Yeah, at least they said risk factor and not cause, but my understanding is that the cause usually goes the other way.

[graymalkin13.livejournal.com]

Aye, and having diabetes could be a "risk factor" for gaining weight -- because of metabolism, or meds, or other factors I can't dream up right now.

[firecat]

*looking at my 40 pounds that I acquired while I was taking Avandia*

Definitely.