Being a little overweight can kill you, according to new research that leaves
little room for denial that a few extra pounds is harmful. Baby boomers who were
even just a tad pudgy were more likely to die prematurely than those who were at
a healthy weight, U.S. researchers reported Tuesday.
While obesity has been known to contribute to early death, the link between
being overweight and dying prematurely has been controversial. Some experts have
argued that a few extra pounds does no harm.
However, this is one of the first major studies to account for the factors of
smoking and chronic illness, which can complicate efforts to figure out how much
weight itself is responsible for early death.
"The cumulative evidence is now even stronger," said Dr. Michael Thun, chief
epidemiologist of the American Cancer Society who had no role in the research.
"Being overweight does increase health risks. It's not simply a cosmetic or
social problem."
A separate large study of Korean patients, also released Tuesday, reached the
same conclusion. Both are being published in this week's New England Journal of
Medicine.
An estimated two-thirds of Americans adults are overweight or obese,
according to federal statistics. Obesity raises the risk of heart disease,
diabetes, arthritis and some cancers. Being overweight increases blood pressure
and cholesterol levels, which in turn could lead to heart disease.
The latest studies contradict controversial research by the federal Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention last year that suggested being a little plump
isn't so bad. Since then, CDC chief Dr. Julie Gerberding distanced herself from
the report and acknowledged potential flaws in the study that included people
with health problems who tend to weigh less.
The U.S. study, by scientists at the National Cancer Institute, involved more
than half a million people, ages 50 to 71, participating in a research project
by the National Institutes of Health and AARP, formerly known as the American
Association of Retired Persons.
Researchers analyzed patients' body-mass index and mortality rate over a
10-year period from questionnaires they filled out in 1995 and 1996 detailing
their weight and diet.
Under current government standards, a BMI, or weight-to-height measurement of
25 or higher is overweight; 30 and above is obese.
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