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There are people—such as my father, unfortunately—who will look at this and other studies as a means for arguing with his doctor as to why being 150 pounds overweight is perfectly fine. When my father's blood sugar finally topped out over 700, he finally acknowledged that he had type II diabetes

While this research may have been flawed, it does not mean that scientific research into the problem is not warranted

While this research may have been flawed, it does not mean that scientific research into the problem is not warranted

I would agree however it is very important that the CDC, the FDA and the NIH stand for something. It is becoming more and more apparent that all three organizations have dropped the ball in their task of representing good science and protecting the public. They are failing to present sound health advice based on solid study. There is no question obesity is a health risk. There are dozens of real studies that confirm that. What the CDC wanted was something that would make a good sound bite. By doing things like this they call all their studies into doubt. The CDC may justify this by saying they did it for the public's own good. It is not in the public's best interest to lie to them. It is certainly not in the CDC's best interest to tarnish their own reputation by seeking political ends.

While this research may have been flawed, it does not mean that scientific research into the problem is not warranted

I don't think scientific research is, necessarily, a bad thing.
When research is done to, only, support bad conclusions - Then it is a bad thing.

Is being overweight a health risk? Sure.
Is being overweight being blamed for causing 400K deaths a year? Sure
Does being overweight actually CAUSE 400K deaths a year? I seriously doubt it.

The CDC is known for touting it's own studies, at the expense of scientific methodology, for political causes.