High BMI not so bad in some cases
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High BMI not so bad in some cases
An article I came across some time ago and confounded me...I being in the high BMI area and have doc's on my back all the time to get it down...I read this...
"Being overweight-long considered a health risk on a variety of fronts-has a paradoxically protective effect in rheumatoid arthritis. Scientists examined the links between body mass index and death rates amoung rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, and found those with a higher BMI were less likely to die than thinner patients. The study, published in the "Archives of Internal Medicine", involved 779 patients with RA. Those with a BMI over 30 had the lowest mortality rates, of 1.7 deaths per 100 person-years. Mortality rose with each lower BMI category, reaching its highest amoung patients with BMI's under 20, who had 15 deaths per 100 person-years"
Wow....how come I don't feel better after reading this and really want to get a stack of weight off anyway......
"Being overweight-long considered a health risk on a variety of fronts-has a paradoxically protective effect in rheumatoid arthritis. Scientists examined the links between body mass index and death rates amoung rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, and found those with a higher BMI were less likely to die than thinner patients. The study, published in the "Archives of Internal Medicine", involved 779 patients with RA. Those with a BMI over 30 had the lowest mortality rates, of 1.7 deaths per 100 person-years. Mortality rose with each lower BMI category, reaching its highest amoung patients with BMI's under 20, who had 15 deaths per 100 person-years"
Wow....how come I don't feel better after reading this and really want to get a stack of weight off anyway......
The Original Whirly
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Somehow, this just adds to my certainty that positive correlation does not equal proof.
For those who don't know what I mean by that...suppose (just for example) we find that thin people tend to live longer. Have we checked that there aren't other factors involved - what do they eat, where do they live, what work do they do, do they come from a family of long-lived people (who may also be thin, just by chance)? It may be that weight and longevity are not directly connected, but more research may be needed to find that out. (I'm just giving this as an example).
Researchers realise all this (if they're any good), but such research tends to get reported in the press as though the correlation means it's been proved....and next thing you know, everyone's quoting it as a known fact.
So, being overweight may indeed protect against rheumatoid arthritis. But did anyone check that there weren't other factors involved? Could it be, for instance, that eating chocolate has a protective influence? Oooooo, I hope so!!!!!
For those who don't know what I mean by that...suppose (just for example) we find that thin people tend to live longer. Have we checked that there aren't other factors involved - what do they eat, where do they live, what work do they do, do they come from a family of long-lived people (who may also be thin, just by chance)? It may be that weight and longevity are not directly connected, but more research may be needed to find that out. (I'm just giving this as an example).
Researchers realise all this (if they're any good), but such research tends to get reported in the press as though the correlation means it's been proved....and next thing you know, everyone's quoting it as a known fact.
So, being overweight may indeed protect against rheumatoid arthritis. But did anyone check that there weren't other factors involved? Could it be, for instance, that eating chocolate has a protective influence? Oooooo, I hope so!!!!!
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The BMI system is totally flawed, outdated and useless. I have had both my GP and doctor conducting my medical renewal tell me this. I remember watching something about it on the BBC last year and it pointed out some cases like George Bush for instance is overweight according to his BMI !!!! Like come on, get real. Anyway stupid system would not take any notice of it.
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Well in my case I am a fat arse...dam it!!!...but I know what you say...the other day in the paper there was a picture and a photo this guy that was...you can't belive...Mr Muscle and fitness of no other....yes...you can see it coming can't you.....he would put Arnie to shame...yes about 175 cm and yes...145 KGS!!!!!......OBESE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.........of the first order..........
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Fatter people do have increased rates of death and morbidity, but fatter people also tend to exercise less which is probably far more relevant. BMI is easy to measure in your doctor's surgery so gets used, no harm in that, but you need to look at all the factors. Bush is doing the right thing by exercising a lot, I am sure his BMI is fine for him.
