Article Source: msnbc.com
from:msnbc.comThe rising fat acceptance movement says being overweight isn't necessarily bad for you - and some doctors agree. Other experts contend that's a dangerous, even irresponsible, point of view. Women's Health looks at both sides of the debate.
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This morning during the Today Show I was rather dismayed to hear the reporter say that it may be as healthy to be a size 12 as a size 6. Truly a size 12 is not one bit large. I wieigh 130 and wear a size 10. I think that it is insulting to millions of women to say suggest that a size 12 is overweight! No wonder we have such a problem with anorexia and bulimia in our country.
Catherine Boyce: It depends on who is wearing the size 12. When I was a size 12 at 5'2", I was obese (about 165) and felt and looked pretty lousy. Now I'm a size 2 at 125 lbs; that's only 5 lbs less than you. I felt and looked good when I was a size 6 (140 lbs.) but in photos I still looked 'thick'. Maybe you're quite tall with small muscles and slim, womanly curves (the opposite of me - short and muscular and boyish...sigh- despite my screen name I am a chick).
Maybe it would be best, however, to use the BMI index until a more accurate measurement of health through weight, height and body mass can be created.
I manage a weight management center for a hospital system in Michigan. I believe that everyone in this story is missing the point. First of all, Ms. Crystal Renn is not overweight. She has a BMI of 25. Recommended BMI is 18.9 to 24.9. Secondly, IT IS FAT TISSUE THAT CAUSES THE HEALTH ISSUES AND NOT THE ABSOLUTE BODY WEIGHT. White fat not brown fat causes inflammation in the body which contributes to heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension. We have a nation of overfat people. A recent study showed that even women who were at their recommended BMI but had body fat greater than 30% still had elevated inflammation factors in their blood. Yo-yo dieting contributes to this problem because when you regain your weight it never comes back as muscle, but as fat. Focusing just on dieting in this country is short sighted. Losing weight without maintaining lean muscle mass is not going in the wrong direction. Do not get me wrong Obesity kills. 300,000 people die each year in this country as a result of obesity. Obesity is a significant medical and health issue. 90% of the people in this country who have type II diabetes have it because of their weight. 75% of the people in this country who have high blood pressure have it because of their weight. However, that being said - - - you can be healthy and overweight - - - just look at our professional athletes in this country many are overweight, but not overfat. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.