According to the study Danish researchers, people who are overweight tend to live longer than those with normal body weight. Such a pattern was not always evident — in the 1970-ies lived longer than those of the Danes, whose body mass index was in the normal range (between 18.5 and 25). This feature is calculated as the ratio of weight (in kilograms) by the square of height (in centimeters). For example, for human growth of 1.65 meters and weighing 68 kilograms BMI will be 25.
At extreme values of BMI, linked to the depletion or severe obesity, the risk of death from various causes, particularly from cardiovascular diseases is greatly increased. However, as shown by a study published in the journal of the American medical Association (JAMA), a small excess of normal BMI is not so bad for your health. The lowest risk of death was observed among residents of Copenhagen with the BMI of 23.7 in 1970-e years, to 24.6 in 1990 to 27.0 and — now. The trend is evident even among citizens who had never smoked and was not treated for heart or cancer diseases.
As a result of the analysis of statistical data it can be assumed that a small overweight in middle-age is a kind of protective factor. However, scientists do not hurry to such a conclusion, even securely the established correlation does not prove causation.
The researchers note that with longevity may be related not weight per se, but his ability to score that characterizes a healthy body. It is well known that weight loss is often a symptom of the disease. Therefore, a gradual set of excess weight only indicates good health, while BMI does not go over the limit, after which the fat deposits begin to bring the body harm. To share the “healing” effects of excess weight and its role as an indicator of health, some statistical data are insufficient.
“While the study did not give us answers. They give us only the interesting questions,” said Dr. Tapan Mehta (Tapan Mehta, employee of the Department of health.
Obesity — the key to longevity?
Alex Kudrin