THINNER: Why Harvard Wants You To Be Unhealthily Thin.

The New Republic ^ | September 11, 2007 | Paul Campos

[Mygirlsmom]

Ummm....being alive is the primary contributor to morbidity and mortality. These people act as if they can do something about it.

[Tax-chick]

This is quite an informative article, over all. However, it's got some howlers, such as, Furthermore, it's simply not known if high weight increases overall health risk, or is merely a marker for factors, most notably low socio-economic status, which clearly do cause ill health.

[taxesareforever]

The story is simple: That it's well-established scientific fact that being "overweight"--that is, having a body mass index figure of between 25 and 30--is, in the words of Harvard professors Walter Willett and Meir Stampfer, "a major contributor to morbidity and mortality."

It is a well established fact that professors are earning the reputation of lacking substance between the ears.

[Thrownatbirth]

Everyone can attain their "normal" BMI range without dieting.

Just drink a fifth of liquor every day. You'll be svelt in no time.

[Sherman Logan]

However, it's got some howlers, such as, Furthermore, it's simply not known if high weight increases overall health risk, or is merely a marker for factors, most notably low socio-economic status, which clearly do cause ill health.

Not necessarily a howler. It is very well-documented that there is in America an inverse relationship between income and body weight.

Don't believe it? Just drop by Walmart.

[Jason Kauppinen]

Written by a bunch of nerds who are envious of people with proper masculine and feminine bodies.

[Cicero]

I think it tends to be the case that rich people high on the social scale tend to be thinner than poorer people. It’s chic to be thin, and they want to be chic.

Possibly being poor rather than being fat may be primarily responsible for those people who are at once both poor and fat dying sooner, if only because they can’t afford the best and promptest medical care.

[absolootezer0]

how does that explain rosie, michael moore, and ted kennedy?

[SamuraiScot]

Written by a bunch of nerds who are envious of people with proper masculine and feminine bodies.

Bingo!

[<1/1,000,000th%]

I didn’t know they attempted to do science at Hahvahd.

[mo]

“These people act as if they can do something about it....”

The wy we pay for health care has the gov’mt types panicked about having “to do something” about it....the logic, if these guys ever find and follow the trail, leads to a pretty grim existence for all of us.

[mo]

“These people act as if they can do something about it....”

The way we pay for health care has the gov’mt types panicked about having “to do something” about it....the logic, if these guys ever find and follow the trail, leads to a pretty grim existence for all of us.

[Justice4Reds]

Good news! Twinkies for everyone!

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

The BMI scale was supposed to be calibrated against health data. That is, “normal weight” was thought to be associated with the best health and longevity. If new data indicates that the “ideal” weights are higher — then, logically, the BMI scale should be adjusted accordingly. Instead, the opposite seems to be happening — we’re supposed to strive for a “normal” BMI, even if it’s actually less healthy than being “overweight”. It seems the Harvard researchers are paradigm bound.

Also, the BMI has all sorts of limitations — it’s no use for athletes or the elderly.

[TSgt]

Not necessarily a howler. It is very well-documented that there is in America an inverse relationship between income and body weight.

Don't believe it? Just drop by Walmart.

Agreed! And the local flea market, county fair, KMart, etc..

Good thing they have scooters to ride lest they should get out of breath shopping for fiddle faddle and cigarettes!

[KarlInOhio]

Just drink a fifth of liquor every day. You'll be svelt in no time.

Two fifths is too much though.

[Teacher317]

average-height men who weigh between 175 and 209 pounds, are putting their lives and health at risk

So if a guy is 5'10 and 176 pounds, he's "unhealthily overweight"? Jeez! Find a single example of an NFL player who isn't, by that standard.

[Tax-chick]

It is very well-documented that there is in America an inverse relationship between income and body weight.

True, but that doesn't prove that "low socioeconomic status," of itself, "causes ill-health."

What's the chain of causation there? Germs check your bank statement before infecting you?

[linn37]

Kennedy is the outlier,theres no way you could pickle your liver and look like beached whale on legs and live that long. But theres Kennedy as living proof that you can.

I am not suggesting that people be overweight but if you do end up as a invalid in the hospital for a month or two I think it would actually be a benefit. Just don’t get so large that it takes two people to roll you over for the bedpan.