Since I believe everything I read in the press, especially things that are convenient to my desire for cheesecake dolloped with hot fudge, I’m doing my happy dance right now: “A body of research is emerging that suggests that there’s little risk to carrying a few extra pounds. And there may even be some benefit. Indeed, people who are 10-to-15 pounds overweight appear to have no greater risk of dying than those of so-called “normal” weight. Other studies have shown that those who are overweight are no more likely to die from cancer or cardiovascular disease. Also, being a little overweight may help stave off osteoporosis. And it can make you look younger, too.”
This is good news for so many reasons, the least of which have to do with finding the will power to control your intake. Really, the power of this research is in what it can do about body image: We now have science — already our friend! — telling us our manic obsession with 2-hour-a-day cardio regimens is unnecessary. Sure, people can still love the thin/lean look, but young people, and I’m including both toddlers and tweens and young adults here, can feel a little better about themselves if they happen to look not-so-great in skinny jeans. Which is a feeling we should promote, given all the unhealthy messaging being delivered to these fragile minds.
This isn’t an invitation to eat bison burgers for breakfast (if only), but if fitness types wiser than I am say it’s OK to carry a few pounds IN MUH BUTT, I’m not going to go through the mental terrorism feedback loop that says “Calories in, calories out, eat that cupcake and society will toss you out.”
[WSJ]
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
stnemmoc
I’m not sure about this really. I mean, you have to wonder if thinner or underweight people weigh less because of something like, say, cancer or AIDS, and that that explains some of the health differences (or lack there of) with overweight people. I know that seems really obvious and I’m certain that the scientists studying this would look into that, but the Wall Street Journal is not an academic journal, it’s just a newspaper. I was borderline underweight maybe about 3 years ago but I didn’t have any health problems, I was 18. I think this is a good article about underweight people and health here: http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-weight/can-you-be-too-thin/index.html
You're fat, no suck
Who cares. Nobody wants to sleep with the pachyderms.
SteamPunk
As the article says, a few pounds may be OK. However, a few dozen pounds definitely isn’t. And I’m not even talking about aesthetics; health-wise it puts a strain on your body. Unfortunately, I’m afraid the belief for many Middle Americans is that you have to be *slightly* overweight to be considered “normal”. That’s just not right.
On another note, I’d be interested to know if there are any health drawbacks from being naturally underweight. My dad, for example, is 6ft 3in and naturally weighs in at 135 pounds sopping wet. (He’s been trying to reach 140 pounds.) I wondering how well his heart handles that? More importantly, would such problems be genetic, because it’s really all about me in the end. (Just kidding)
Mike L.
Grass fed bison is actually much healtheir than beef, it has less calories per oz compaired to beef, bison has less fat and beef has a lot more saturated fat.
I have had Buffalo and will try bison (said to have a sweetness of sorts) which is still healthier than beef, YUM!
TheOtherMark
There are in fact health risks associated with being underweight. Osteoporosis and loss of muscle mass impacting functional abilities later in life are two good examples.
Studies are correct in saying that a few extra pounds is okay; this is well backed up by research. However, the issue is that frankly most people are beyond overweight and fall into the obese category, where health risks go through the roof. Visceral fat located around the belly is of particular concern. From a strictly health-based point of view, the “being fat is okay” mentality is risky when obesity rates are currently skyrocketing and putting ridiculous and unnecessary burdens on our health care system.
Since I’m on a tangent, I’m going to throw in that obesity as a result of genetics or health conditions is quite rare and too often is used as an excuse. Yes, some people gain weight easier than others, but just because someone has a vulnerability to gaining weight doesn’t mean they HAVE to. In the end, your weight is simply just the result of the calories you eat/drink minus the calories you burn. People who are more prone to gaining weight just need a little extra care and a good education on healthy living. There are currently way too many misconceptions and confusing ideas towards what is healthy and what is not.
Source: I have an accredited University degree in kinesiology and am a couple weeks away from becoming a certified exercise physiologist. Hence my ranting! :p
scott ny'er
@SteamPunk: check into Calorie Restriction Diets. 60 minutes did a story on this. And there are benefits to this supposedly. And these peeps look underweight.
AndrewW
When anyone says “fat” the crowd claims “skinny isn’t healthy.” The ideal is “fit.” Fit = Healthy. Healthy is the goal.
We perform much better – in every way – when we are fit.
Seth
As a scientist and soon to be doctor, I would agree with this article on the whole. These studies that are finally being accepted into journals are serving as a mechanism to allay the social construct of thinness. Now, I am a very fit muscular guy who works out every day. I do it because I love it and I love looking good. But I have to criticize overweight people because they are doing it themselves. IT’s mostly about will-power, not genetics. The genetic predisposition to weightgain is quite simple, you feel hungry all the time and so you eat more. I know what hunger pangs feel like, but I ALSO know what a full stomach feels like, as well as the shit I take after over eating and the pain I go through for the next two days.
Overweight people need to fucking wake up, exercise EVERY DAY, stop sitting around from 9-5, eat LESS LESS LESS!!!
Also, there have been studies since the 1930s that suggest quite conclusively that they way you feed your infant up until the 18 month mark has a very strong correlation to their weight all throughout life. DONT OVERFEED YOUR BABY.
FAT BABIES ARE NOT HEALTHY BABIES.
Thin is healthy.
Fitz
@Seth: Jesus Seth, I hope residency goes well or that you take a breather. Your attitude is off putting and will do ZERO to motivate your clients. I wouldn’t hire you, I wouldn’t want you in a room alone with my patients. As it is today, your attitude will seep through and you will be ineffectual,( at best.). Do you really think that fat people don’t know that they overeat? Do you think that anyone with a room temp IQ doesn’t know that eat less= weigh less? If you are a scientist, and want to be in the helping professions, you will find a way to focus more on what works than your ego filled aggrandizing.