Monday, August 18, 2008

weight is not a reliable barometer of health

New research reaffirms what has been apparent all along--weightism and image in western society obscure ideas of "health" to the detriment of being healthy all together.
Many overweight and obese people are metabolically healthy, while large
numbers of slim people have health problems typically associated with obesity, a
new study shows...


While it’s long been known that it’s better to be fit and fat than
being thin and sedentary, the new data are believed to be the first time
researchers have documented the unreliability of body size as an indicator for
overall health.


Study author MaryFran Sowers, a University of Michigan obesity
researcher, told The Associated Press that the results show that stereotypes
about body size can be misleading, and that even ‘’less voluptuous'’ people can
have risk factors commonly associated with obesity.
Dr. Sowers said that
when it comes to weight and health risks, “We’re really talking about taking a
look with a very different lens.'’ (
full
article
)

No comments: