Sister has more good news! An article in the Wall Street Journal by Katherine Rosman highlights that being 10 to 15 pounds overweight poses no greater health risk than a being at a normal healthy weight. Whew. Let all sisters breathe a sigh of relief. No more pressure to conform to skinny ideologies. Sister couldn’t be happier.
Let’s analyze the data presented in the article. As mentioned in an earlier post, the body mass index (BMI) is a measurement which calculates how much an individual should weight (BMI uses height and weight in their measurement). As the previous post indicated, a body mass index over 30 is considered obese. The “overweight” category is a BMI 25 through 29.9 and a “normal” weight is a BMI of 18.5 through 24.9. The WSJ article cites two studies from 2005 and 2007 whose data suggest that “… people who are overweight (according to the BMI) are are no more likely than those of normal weight to die from cancer or cardiovascular disease.” In another study published in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society looking at 9000 men and women, the data indicate that people in their 70’s who were overweight were less likely to die during a 10-year time span than those of normal weight.
There are several factors that researchers believe may be involved in these remarkable findings. First, the excess fat of overweight people is composed primarily subcutaneous (under the skin). Obese individuals have a predominance of viseral fat which is found surrounding the internal organs. Subcutaneous fat produces estrogen which positively affects bone mass. Also, carrying around an extra 10-15 pounds in an of itself makes bones stronger. Another interesting thought is that a bit of extra weight can give one a bit of lift to the face. The Archives of Dermatology published a study suggesting that overweight women actually appeared younger than those of normal weight or underweight – especially as they grew older.
The article goes on to quote Felicia Cosman, clinical director of National Osteoporosis Foundation and professor of medicine at Columbia University saying, “Women should not worry if they are 10 to 15 pounds overweight particularly if the fat is not concentrated in (the) belly.”
Sister is pleased to read something positive about a little extra weight. She is careful to point out that this information should not give one license to overeat and be lazy. Remember Sister’s mantra, “Feeling good from the inside out.” Exercise – cardio, strength and some stretching to balance everything out. Eat healthy – not too much, mostly plants. (Thank you Mr. Pollan). That, fellow sisters, is living the good life. Now call your best friend and let’s get going, girlfriends!
Sister has never been more grateful for her full cheeks.