Is this not the ugliest infographic you have ever seen?
ScienceDaily (6/29):
It's not surprising that extreme underweight and extreme obesity increase the risk of dying, but it is surprising that carrying a little extra weight may give people a longevity advantage.
It may be that a few extra pounds actually protect older people as their health declines, but that doesn't mean that people in the normal weight range should try to put on a few pounds. Our study only looked at mortality, not at quality of life, and there are many negative health consequences associated with obesity, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
This is a little troubling, I must admit. It is not consistent with the results from the meta-study I posted about earlier, and this new study is probably more accurate, examining 11,326 people over 12 years and controlling for factors such as age, sex, physical activity, and, most importantly, smoking. I am trying hard not to protect my pre-existing beliefs in the face of contradictory evidence, but I wonder, could it be that carrying more weight into older adulthood is simply a sign of good appetite and good health rather than a cause of it?
Addendum: Check the comments for some interesting links from readers John and Sarah.
