A while back i wrote a post about the idiocy of the ongoing Fat is Bad craze. You can find it here, http://petrossa.wordpress.com/2010/04/16/the-disease-fat-does-not-exist/ it's too long to post here.

What's interesting are the latest findings from the Erasmus University in the Netherlands:

Genetic Study Shows That Low Body Fat May Not Lower Risk for Heart Disease and Diabetes

Having a lower percentage of body fat may not always lower your risk for heart disease and diabetes, according to a study by an international consortium of investigators, including two scientists from the Institute for Aging Research of Hebrew SeniorLife, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School (HMS).

The Institute researchers, Douglas P. Kiel, M.D., M.P.H., and David Karasik, Ph.D., who are working with the Framingham Heart Study, identified a gene that is linked with having less body fat, but also with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, examples of so-called "metabolic diseases."

"We've uncovered a truly fascinating genetic story and, when we found the effect of this gene, we were very intrigued by the unexpected finding," says Dr. Kiel, a senior scientist at the Institute for Aging Research and a professor of medicine at HMS. "People, particularly men, with a specific form of the gene are both more likely to have lower percent body fat, but also to develop heart disease and type 2 diabetes. In simple terms, it is not only overweight individuals who can be predisposed for these metabolic diseases."

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110626145303.htm

Since i said as much in my article 2 years ago i'm mighty chuffed.

I don't think anyone really believed that being a healthy weight was unhealthy. More that being severely overweight is a risk factor for a few things. Its more the fashon and advertising industries that drove this craze for super skinny.

No. That's not so unfortunately. It's being pushed by the medical industry (that includes GPs, surgeons, hospitals, pharmaceutical industry). It's even government policy in many countries to bombard us with Fat is Bad messages.
If you do one search on PubMed you are overwhelmed with all the peer reviewed studies claiming a direct causal link between Obesity and disease risk. And when we're talking about obesity, it's defined from BMI 25 upwards.

According to them we should be between 18 and 25. According to the evidence we should be between 22 and 32 for a healthy weight.

And anyroad the life expectancy of an anorexic, who is just 15 kg underweight is about the same as someone who is 200 kg overweight.

So who are they kidding?


There are but a few dissenting voices. Too much money at stake.

I think people focus on "fat" because being seriously overwieght is more common than seriously underweight at the moment.
Although a limit of BMI 25 sounds harsh. My husband is around BMI 25 and he does not look overweight at all. He has aways been broad in the shoulders/hips, and has muscles from cycling. I think 32 is a more reasonable warning limit if that is what the data suggests.
On another note, a low BMI does not always mean a person is unhealthy/anorexic. Prior to having my son, i always sat at BMI around 20, and i ate a lot and was very healthy. Just a high metabolism. Some people do naturally have that body type without abusing their bodies.
Aside - Here's something that amuses me: according to my husbands wii i am now "overweight" - because it doesn't recognise pregnancy. It has turned my character fat and everything! (i'm around 73kg). Which probably goes back to your point about the fat is bad messages.

Anorexic is BMI below 18. I believe the mortal danger weight is 32 kg for the average person. 47 kg is within the socalled healthy limits. So15 kg difference makes you healthy or in mortal danger.

Against that, to be at the same level of mortal danger from overweight you need to really be gigantic. Beyond 200 kg.

All forms of lightweight or more dangerous then overweight. The problem with society is they fixated on some types of conditions previously having been associated with overweight that contained a health risk.

But if you look at overall mortality being heavy beats being skinny anyday.

73 kg for 1.70 mtr is normal. 73 for 1.50 mtr is a bit heavy.

I'm about 5'7" - i think thats closer to 170 ! .... and 30 weeks pregnant
You should see the wii caricature wobbling around and sleeping on the screen!
Thats why i find it so amusing - I am hardly that lumbering figure on the screen. Yet an insecure person might be made to feel bad about themselves looking at their character.

Evidently you are in perfect state weight wise. My partner is 1.56 and 62 kg.
I'm 100 kg at 1.80. All good weights.

I don't know what a wii caricature is ?? That's a cartoon?

Yes, the wii fit creates a little person to represent you (you pick out features and make it look like you). And it does excersise and activities whilst you control it (or in my case just weighs in occasionally and never bothers to exercise! ).

That must do a world of good. Virtual exercise. Seems as fulfilling as virtual love making. Since you are baking one i guess that last at least is for real

Virtual lovemaking - what a great idea as an alternative! lol
No the wii is supposed to be real exercise - i just don't bother doing it!

Seems like a wise thing to (not) do

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAhIqX6lSCs