Be Overweight And Live Longer, German Study Suggests

[FlyingDutchman]

Be Overweight And Live Longer, German Study Suggests

ScienceDaily (Oct. 16, 2009) — Contrary to what was previously assumed, being overweight is not increasing the overall death rate in the German population. Matthias Lenz of the Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Natural Sciences of the University of Hamburg and his co-authors present these and other results in the current issue of Deutsches Ärtzeblatt International.

Most Germans are overweight, with a body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 29.9 kg/m2. About 20% are obese (BMI of 30 or over), with age- and gender-related differences. The authors systematically evaluated 42 studies of the relationships between weight, life expectancy, and disease.
The Süddeutsche Zeitung published an advance notice of the report, which shows that overweight does not increase death rates, although obesity does increase them by 20%. As people grow older, obesity makes less and less difference.

For coronary heart disease, overweight increases risk by about 20% and obesity increases it by about 50%. On the other hand, a larger BMI is associated with a lower risk of bone and hip fracture.
In relation to cancer, the overall death rate among extremely obese men (BMI above 40) is no higher than among those of normal weight. Men who are overweight even have a 7% lower death rate. No significant association was found in women.

According to the authors' analysis, overall mortality is unchanged by overweight, but increased by 20% by obesity, while extreme obesity raises it by up to 200%.

Deutsches Aerzteblatt International (2009, October 16). Be Overweight And Live Longer, German Study Suggests. ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 22, 2009, from http://www.sciencedaily.com* /releases/2009/10/091016094032.htm

[Kaisermane]

What Dutch?! I'm currently in line at a buffet! Interesting, great find

[ilikeapples]

Originally Posted by FlyingDutchman

On the other hand, a larger BMI is associated with a lower risk of bone and hip fracture.

This sounds possible, especially when you take the responses in my thread about bbw women being strong into account. Having more weight probably strengthens the bones as well as causing muscle gorwth.

[EmilyB]

Originally Posted by ilikeapples

This sounds possible, especially when you take the responses in my thread about bbw women being strong into account. Having more weight probably strengthens the bones as well as causing muscle growth.

I'm not sure that muscle strength has much to do with preventing bone fractures so much as the cushioning effect of the extra fat. I know on our elderly patients we put belts called "hip protectors" on them if they are at risk for falls, to minimize the risk of a fracture. The belts are basically a belt with 2 thick pads of foam on either side to protect the hips.

[Ralla]

Originally Posted by FlyingDutchman

The Süddeutsche Zeitung published an advance notice of the report, which shows that overweight does not increase death rates, although obesity does increase them by 20%. As people grow older, obesity makes less and less difference.

Hahaha, don't you just love statistics?
Seriously, as people grow older, no condition in any way makes any difference any more, as age is a condition itself.

This said, thank god there is a study pointing out that being overweight is not a threat to the public. Combine this with the study that said positive thinking is bad for a lot of people, and i can be a happy... err... unhappy fat guy again.

thanks dutch.

[Stefanie]

I work on an ortho floor at a hospital and I have to say I really don't see any hip fractures on overweight people. Its normally the skinny frail elderly people that fall and break stuff.

[asshunter]

We all know that "studies" conclude different things, depending on the studier, and other variables. Particularly, it seems, when it comes to the benefits of vitamins. LOL. However, I am inclined to agree with the conclusion of this study.

[sicninja]

i love the germans and being overweight! long live panda!

[CrowsEye]

Crap. If that IS the case, then I'm fucked.

[Jenny Seemore]

Originally Posted by FlyingDutchman

Be Overweight And Live Longer, German Study Suggests

Most Germans are overweight, with a body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 29.9 kg/m2....[/color]

Not sure how they define overweight in Germany. I know the BMI, but 25 BMI, that would be me at 5"2"/138 lbs. being overweight already. Shit.

When I lived in Germany I barely saw overweight people. My American ass felt kind of mega-fat there. Now, visit Houston, and I show you "overweight" and "obese".

[FlyingDutchman]

If you go to Germany now, you will see similar BBW's & SSBBW's in size as you do in the US.