New study sharpens focus on problems of obesity (thin is in)

AFP ^ | Dec 22, 2009 | Unknown

[decimon]

PARIS (AFP) – Cardiovascular disease linked to obesity may be worse than thought while health problems associated with being underweight may have been overstated, according to a study published by the British Medical Journal (BMJ) on Wednesday.

The paper, written by doctors in Britain and Sweden, seeks to finetune a well-known tool -- the body mass index (BMI) -- which is used to measure obesity and ill-health.

BMI entails taking one's weight in kilos and dividing it by the square of one's height, in metres. A BMI of 25-30 is generally considered overweight. while a figure of above 30 indicates obesity.

Previous studies have already found a big link between BMI and higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some cancers.

In contrast, a low BMI -- in other words, people who are very skinny -- is associated with increased mortality from respiratory disease and lung cancer.

But many experts have questioned the findings about low BMI, arguing that the figures could be skewed by something called reverse causality.

For instance, diseases such as lung cancer, which cause weight loss, are being factored in as low BMI, they argue. And smoking and poor socioeconomic circumstances may also cause bias.

[Pharmboy]

Yes...true enough, but we’re talking about obese and not merely overweight. But while that will happen occasionally, the body is very smart at maintaining body weight.

[GailA]

I’m on Medicare, and TRL this is going to hit me real hard.

[decimon]

I’m on Medicare, and TRL this is going to hit me real hard.

You're in a pickle. We all will be.

Back in the 1960s, when Medicare came about, I knew the token 'creeping socialism' opposition was correct. I knew it was but token opposition. The only hope was for a future congress to roll back the legislation but that doesn't happen. A challenge for the future will be to find a way to roll this back without throwing dependent people to the dogs.

[Chickensoup]

I am talking obese.People in the 250 to 300 lb range

[GailA]

My husband will be 70 in July, we have a few minor health issues right now, but as we age it is going to change. IF heaven forbid he should die, my piddly SS check won't cover but the electric bill/water bill and buy a few groceries. We are newly weds (1 year) so I don't qualify for any of his Navy pension.

Fixing the 60 Billion in fraud and waste would go along way to helping Medicare. And I bet there is as much waste in Medicaid and TRL to boot.

We are careful with our health and don't see the doctor unless we have to, which is twice a year to get RXs renewed.

[decimon]

And I bet there is as much waste in Medicaid and TRL to boot.

I doubt you could make a safer bet.

[decimon]

And happy anniversary.

[GailA]

If we could fine comb every government program we find about a Trillion bucks yearly of waste and fraud I think.

[GailA]

Thanks it was in September, we had to wait until I turned 60 so I wouldn’t loose the SS I drew under my late husband’s account....just another way the government controls our lives. I’m on Medicare only because of disability.