It's another contradiction shoppers will have to bring with them to the store — and at the worst of times.
A government study, released just at the start of the high-calorie holiday season, found that people who are up to 25 pounds overweight are in no great danger of dying from cancer or heart disease.
The results back up research from two years ago by the same government scientists that also showed being overweight was not an automatic death sentence. On the contrary, those classified as “overweight” — with a body mass index of up to 30 — were found to be even less susceptible to many cancers and heart disease than those classified as “underweight,” having a BMI of less than 18.5. The overweight faced greater mortality rates than others only when it came to diabetes and kidney disease.
The study made a distinction between being overweight and being obese. The latter group, with BMIs of more than 30, have a substantial risk of dying from cancer and heart disease.
Experts are puzzled as to why a few extra pounds actually seems to be beneficial. Supermarket dietitians are also going to have to take the study findings into account in speaking to shoppers about healthful living.
