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The idea that it might be possible to be overweight or obese but not at increased risk of heart disease, otherwise known as the "obesity paradox," has been challenged by a study of nearly 300,000 people published in in the European Heart Journal today (Friday).
This latest research shows that the risk of heart and blood vessel problems, such as heart attacks, strokes and high blood pressure, increases as body mass index (BMI) increases beyond a BMI of 22-23 kg/m2. Furthermore, the risk also increases steadily the more fat a person carries around their waist.
[...] Although it is already known that being overweight or obese increases a person's risk of CVD [cardiovascular disease], as well as other diseases such as cancer, there have also been studies that have suggested that, particularly in the elderly, being overweight or even obese might not have any effect on deaths from CVD or other causes, and may even be protective, especially if people maintain a reasonable level of fitness. This is known as the "obesity paradox."
However, the authors of the EHJ study say their results refute these previous, conflicting findings. "Any public misconception of a potential 'protective' effect of fat on heart and stroke risks should be challenged," said Dr Iliodromiti.
She continued: "This is the largest study that provides evidence against the obesity paradox in healthy people. It is possible that the story may be different for those with pre-existing disease because there is evidence that in cancer patients, for instance, being slightly overweight is associated with lower risk, especially as cancer and its treatments can lead to unhealthy weight loss.
[...] The researchers suggest that the previous confusion over the "obesity paradox" may be due to many factors that can confound results of studies. For instance, smoking changes the distribution of fat in the body, smokers may have lower weight as smoking depresses appetites and so BMI tends to be lower. Another reason could be that some people have existing but undiagnosed disease, which can often lower their weight but also makes them more likely to die prematurely.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 18 2018, @02:11PM (5 children)
This canard.
You're not a bodybuilder. You're not 7 feet tall. You're not a professional basketball, football, or rugby player.
But hey. Seeing as how most of the obese people I know are cisfemale, I guess I can only care so much what choices "superior beings" make with their bodies and what brain damaged thinking they use to justify it.
"Superior beings" my ass.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 18 2018, @03:16PM (4 children)
It's not a canard, the BMI was never intended for use on individual people. It's somewhat useful for what obesity does for the population at large and it's easier to calculate than other measures, but it fails miserably for individuals for multiple reasons.
It only takes your height and your weight into effect. Despite your ignorance, you don't need to be 7 feet tall or a professional body builder for this to fail on you. Having shoulders that are broader or narrower than the typical person are going to have the numbers not apply very well. Similarly, since this measure doesn't take into account the distribution of fat, you can have two different people who are the same height, same weight same BMI, but very different risk for obesity related illness.
What they're talking about in the article here is that on the population as a whole, there is little or no evidence to support the belief that being obese is healthy. At the individual level, there are better methods of assessing obesity than the BMI, but they're harder to use in statistical studies because they actually take other things into consideration. I've generally got a good waist to hip ratio, but my BMI is usually higher than it should be because I've got very broad shoulders and while the waist to hip ratio kind of takes that into account, the BMI makes no allowance for that at all making it seem like I need to lose more weight than I really do.
(Score: 0, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 18 2018, @03:29PM (3 children)
No, what you're talking about is that you're a fat ass and you don't want to own up to it.
Lose some weight, fat ass. When you lose weight, your shoulders won't be so broad. Your fat is in more places on your body than your cookie dough gut. Being delusional and playing semantic games isn't making you any less fat and disgusting.
Your BMI doesn't say you're obese because of some fucking technicality. The healthy BMI range is wide enough for the vast majority of people. I say again, you aren't a professional athlete. Stop lying to yourself. Your BMI says you're obese because you're a fat ass and you need to lose weight.
You need to count calories. You don't even need to exercise. Just count calories, and eat less food. Get over your sugar addiction. You don't need that coffee in the morning that's half cream. You don't need a whole pizza for dinner. You won't starve if you start being more responsible about your consumption and your body. Maybe one day one of us will get through to you. On that day, you'll pull on a pair of size 4 jeans, and they'll fit you perfectly. We don't need your thanks. We just need you to lose some fucking weight.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 18 2018, @03:42PM (2 children)
The measure is not valid on individuals and was never intended to be used on individuals. You can insult me all you like, but it doesn't change the facts.
The only accurate way to know if somebody is obese is to measure their body composition. Anything else is going to be subject to false positives and false negatives. The most accurate readily available method is the skindex, it's kind of a pain, but it has a low error and gives a really good indication of whether or not a person is carrying excess fat.
(Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 18 2018, @03:52PM (1 child)
You can be a fat ass all you want, but it doesn't change the facts. Stop rationalizing and stop stuffing your face. You wouldn't need all that mumbo-jumbo if you weren't a fat ass.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 18 2018, @04:59PM
What makes you think I'm fat? At least being fat is something that a person can do something about.
Being an ignoramus and an asshole tends to be rather permanent.