Hallelujah! A new study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association concluded that having a few extra curves is not a detriment and could actually benefit your health.
The study, conducted by lead researcher Katherine M. Flegal of the Centers for Disease Control, found that “[people] with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35 or more – were at a 29 percent greater risk of death during the period of the data analyzed.” As expected these people who were categorized as significantly obese by the BMI system had shorter life spans than those of normal weight (BMI range of 16-24).
But, researchers also found that “people classified as overweight, with a BMI of 25 to 29.9, died at slightly lower rates than those of so-called normal weight,” reports the Los Angeles Times. “And they found that those who were mildly obese, with a BMI of 30 to 34.9, died in no greater numbers than did their normal-weight peers.”
Dr. Flegal stated that the determining factor linking somewhat overweight people to a slight survival edge was unclear.
“Our goal is really to summarize existing information and not conclude what people should do, other than follow good health practices, no matter what their weight,” she said.
