Because sometimes it's not so bad to be a fatty. :)

[moonvoice]

A study of 50,000 people via Tohoku University in Japan, shows that obese and overweight people are likely to live longer than those of different physiques.

(Although it also shows that we cost more in medical expenses. Lol).

Comments

[kaikea.livejournal.com]

I have an obese BMI, but my body fat percentage is at 19%. If they are basing this solely on BMI the study might not be as accurate as it could be.

Edit: my last weight and tape put me at an obese BMI and 19% body fat. I've made a point to not weight and tape anymore due to body issues.

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

Yeah that's completely understandable.

[weishaupt.livejournal.com]

It's good to be a fatty in Tohoku University, Japan, but how do the results compare with the rest of the world ... I am saddenned that I shall never be overweight or Japanese.

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

Aw, don't be too sad, it's probably easier to find clothing!

[jet-ski.livejournal.com]

Those numbers really don't mean much. BMI doesn't give a picture of say, fat %, lean mass %, bone density. If you have more lean mass and bone density when you get older, your body will stand up better to the muscle wasting that happens as you age. Also helps with issues like oesteoporosis.

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

Yeah, BMI is misleading, but there aren't really many other standardised weight indicators that are used as frequently globally these days. Until they come up with something better, and globally recognised, BMI is probably gonna be what they use for a while. :/

[jet-ski.livejournal.com]

There are two ways of universally recognised ways of measuring fat %. Calipers and water displacement. Obviously calipers are less of a pain than water displacement though caliper measurements can hurt in particular measuring spots. Both are pretty accurate but water displacement is moreso.

Risk factors related to morbidity vary with lifestyle - ie for women higher fat % - more oestrogen - less chance of breast cancer & oesteoporosis but more chance of heart disease. *shrugs*

[psychrobia149.livejournal.com]

I just think that a person should always 'do things in moderation', which means that I think it's okay to eat, drink, and be merry, as long as you keep it all in balance. I do not buy into the notion that everyone needs to be thin. Healthiness looks good (and feels good) at any weight.

And...it's always good to be Fatty (just ask her lol). ;)


*and 'Fatty' is the name of my dog, in case anyone was wondering lol!

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

Yeah, everything in moderation is such good advice. :D

[cypherwulf.livejournal.com]

Well, keep in mind that Japan's "obese" is our "normal".

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

Actually, they're doing it by the standardised BMI index (i.e. where obese starts at over 30 BMI) - and so while the BMI is, of itself, problematic - their standards are not 'Japan' standards, but properly standardised. As it should be, for a University study of 50,000 people.

[cypherwulf.livejournal.com]

Oh, durr, I don't know why that didn't register in my brain. Sorry D:

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

I wish there was something that was better at accurately measuring fat though, the BMI is very misleading.

That said, 50,000 people! I'd say at least half, or the majority actually *are* overweight, which make the results very interesting. There's a few theories floating around as to why mortality might be longer (i.e. those with a higher fat index are less prone to contagious disease), but... nothing concrete at all.

[saevor.livejournal.com]

Then, am I gonna die soon? Because I'm, like all my maternal family, quite skinny XD.
I don't know if this kind of study is a valid one, every year you have two or three studies of this type saying opposite things XD.