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Posted on Apr 09, 2003, 5 a.m.
By Bill Freeman
Obese people who try but fail to lose weight live longer than those who don't try at all, according to researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr Edward W Gregg and colleagues studied more than 6,000 obese and overweight people aged 35 and older for up to nine years. Results revealed that the death rate was 24% lower in people who lost weight intentionally than in people who did not try to shed their excess weight.
Obese people who try but fail to lose weight live longer than those who don't try at all, according to researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr Edward W Gregg and colleagues studied more than 6,000 obese and overweight people aged 35 and older for up to nine years. Results revealed that the death rate was 24% lower in people who lost weight intentionally than in people who did not try to shed their excess weight. Although, the death rate was 31% higher in people who lost weight unintentionally. Possibly the most surprising finding of the study was that people who tried but failed to lose weight were still less likely to die than those who did not try at all. This may be due to lifestyle changes made in a bid to lose weight, such as taking more exercise or eating a healthier diet. Even though these changes may not be enough to shed weight, they may be enough to boost health.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Annals of Internal Medicine 2003;138:383-389.
