Why being 'overweight' means you may live longer

[RogerThat]

Current research now suggests that the risk factor from being overweight (25-33% body fat composition) may be as low as 20-40% regarding mortality rates. And for some groups, the risk factor may be negligible. The risk factor of smoking for instance, increases to (for premature death) 250-300%. Binge drinking (consuming more than 6 units of alcohol in a 2hr period) risk factor is 125-180%. The difference in height (a recognised genetic disadvantage) in a 5'0" person and a six footer increases risk of heart attack by 64% for the smaller framed person. This is somewhat cancelled out by the increased risk of cancer for taller people.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style ... 58229.html

[RogerThat]

Several research papers are now suggesting that the modifiable risk factor of being overweight (25-35% body fat composition)
is not nearly as severe (at 20-40% risk to mortality) as being underweight or obese (<18.5% body fat or > 35%) which can both compare to heavy drinking (125% risk) as a feature in premature death. Smoking of course (250-300%) exacerbates any weight, or underlying health problem dramatically.

It seems being 'fat and fit' is back on the table as a viable lifestyle choice!

[Paulatic]

Or maybe a lot of people who die have had something wrong with them for a long time and lost weight?

In animal husbandry body condition and appetite are probably two of the biggest indicators to animal health.

[al_yrpal]

I was overweight but fit. I am now not overweight and even fitter and not on any medication. I have established a very satisfactory healthy diet to NHS guidlines by calorie counting. I am 24.5 bmi and large framed so I suppose I just scrape in. There is so much conflicting advice from all quarters including the medical profession. They ought to get their act together and cease confusing the public by trashing the advice offered by NHS dieticians in person and on the official web site. Its a total confusing mess.

Al

[RogerThat]

I totally agree with that. Supposed changes post election, should a Labour minority government get in are the introduction of 'personal well-being advisors ' or personal trainers for those in the at risk categories. Personally I would like to see the free dissemination of 'fit watches' so GPs could actively monitor patients and receive alerts for things like sustained high or irregular pulse and the vast array of accurate diagnostic measurements that these devices can now determine. This in itself could persuade many 'walking wounded' people to change their lifestyle habits. Preventative medicine has suffered previously in the relative high cost of performing regular health 'mot' style checks on patients. Fit watches could revolutionise the whole process of preventative measures.

[landsurfer]

Personally I would like to see the free dissemination of 'fit watches' so GPs could actively monitor patients and receive alerts for things like sustained high or irregular pulse and the vast array of accurate diagnostic measurements that these devices can now determine.

Really, you would let a government department monitor your every pulse and effort. Your every high and low point, every hill you climb, every time you have sex ? Your not a member of the "Thought Police" I hope.
Is there not enough data floating around about us as it is?
Of course there is an other approach; those that smoke drink and eat too much are a shining example of " Darwin's Theory of Evolution" and will not survive ...lol, more tarmac for me to ride on , with less drivers.... (yes I drive)
January 2014, 6' 3" and 22 stone, April 2015, 17.5 and dropping, good diet and cycling, target weight 16 stone.

[RogerThat]

Unfortunately there is nowhere near enough data about health available to GPs. Imo the vast majority of the British population have no knowledge of the damage they are doing to their bodies, which is why they blithely carry on doing so. Sooner or later a social contract will be deployed in order to receive free health care. It's not really a 'something for nothing' provision. I'd expect comprehensive nationwide health monitoring via devices like these to be part of that contract. In the US for example hundreds of thousands of people volunteer their data to be uploaded to online databases in order not only to monitor and improve their own health, but also to provide absolutely invaluable data to researchers in the field.

The data is provided anonymously. I personally would not object to my GP having an ongoing, daily updated record of my basic medical functions in order to preempt and prevent illness in the future. Many conditions (especially cardiovascular the major cause of premature death in the first world) are detectable ten/fifteen years before they manifest themselves in chronic form.

[landsurfer]

I'm lucky enough to have a full medical every year due to working environment and full bloods including lft every 3 months.
When I retire next year my GP has agreed to continue the medicals under the "Well Man" program they run.
Apparently you just have to ask, it's NHS policy to provide the service.

[axel_knutt]

I had a letter inviting me for something like a 'well person checkup' years ago, I didn't see any point in going. They deny conditions they already know about, so it's hardly likely they're going to acknowledge anything that's still undiagnosed.

[RogerThat]

You'd be surprised just how proactive younger doctors and even dentists are. Our local dentist by her keen observation has saved the early demise of dozens of patients just by swift referrals to hospital.

[landsurfer]

Axel you need to change GP ! My lot are focused on preventing any reduction in your quality of life. I recive enthusiastic support for my cycling. They regard "mature males" as a target group that has been ignored in the past. And both of my doctors are female, they understand that we men often get left behind by the sea of pink politics that we see on tv etc.
MDM is an attitude they will not accept.
Axel move your GP ! David.

[Vorpal]

I have never been diagnosed as overweight. As I said on the BMI thread, I used to get asked every year by work's medical department if I wanted advice about diet and exercise. The medical for work, consisted of checking weight, blood pressure, height, eye sight, hearing, and work station ergonomics. They advised about whether my hearing was similar to previous years, then asked if I wanted advice about diet & exercise. That was really about it. There was a 'well-being' check, but we had to pay a small fee for that, so I never did it.

[al_yrpal]

A health monitoring device? Our GP wouldn't even provide a blood glucose monitor and strips when I was type 2, so good luck with that! I bought my own..

Al

[Mark1978]

Does anyone get 'diagnosed' overweight? It takes 5 seconds to work out with some bathroom scales and a calculator. Only Doctors can do that now?

I am overweight - in fact I think most people are - different to being obese.

[axel_knutt]

Axel you need to change GP

I think you have a complete misconception of the problem.

Three years ago I was taken to A&E by ambulance and diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF). After further tests I attended an appointment at cardiology outpatients, here the cardiologist not only denied that there was anything wrong with me, but also denied that I had even been taken to A&E at all. He told me that he was going to do “nothing”, suggested that I go private, said that there was no reason to stop exercising, and discharged me. Eight days later, after confirming that my GP had informed cardiology of my condition, I produced documents to prove that I had been admitted to A&E. They were ignored.

After I resumed cycling, I soon found myself back in A&E where the Resus consultant acknowledged my AF, and transferred me to the observation ward. The following morning they told me there was nothing wrong with me, that the bedside monitor indicating 230bpm was “just faulty”, and told the nurses to take no notice of anything I say. I've had a consultant deny that he had ever seen any abnormal ECGs, even after they had seen at least nine. When I've complained I've been told that electronics engineers (me) are all neurotics who can’t cope with conflicting information, and that if I don’t like it I should go elsewhere.

Re GPs, patients recently had a letter from the NHS saying that they are taking our practice into temporary administration because they can't recruit enough staff to replace those that have left. There were 9 GPs to serve the two branches of the practice, but we're now down to 4, with 2 of those working their notice. They recruited 2 new ones recently, but they both left within 3 months, and if the practice closes, the others in town are rated among the worst in the country. I rarely see "my own" GP anyway, your just seen by whoever is available next when the buzzer in the waiting room goes.