All I have to say is god bless Canada.
Scientists from our great neighbor to the north have come up with just about the best scientific study since the invention of penicillin. A twelve year study of 11,326 adults, and their weight has shown that a few extra pounds may actually be beneficial to your health.
Stick thin is out my friends, at least from the health perspective. The magical study in question concluded that a few extra pounds, those people with Body Mass Indexes between 25 to 29.9, lived longer than their recommended range (18.5 to 24.9) counter parts, and were much healthier than those participants considered underweight with BMIs under 18.5.
In fact those categorized as underweight has a mortality rate 73% higher than their normal weight counterparts. The big winner though was those traditionally considered overweight, who’s mortality rate was 17% lower than those within the normal range.
So, what’s the cause of this huge shift in weight related health thinking? Apparently a few extra pounds can be protective, especially to the elderly, while weight related illness like diabetes and high blood pressure can be treated medicinally.
Either way I’m just glad I don’t have to feel quite as guilty about that doughnut I had this morning. After all, it could help me live longer.
