Causes of Death Linked To Weight

An anonymous reader writes to mention that while a couple of years ago researchers found that overweight people have a lower death rate than people with a normal weight, it may be more complicated than that. "Now, investigating further, they found out which diseases are more likely to lead to death in each weight group. Linking, for the first time, causes of death to specific weights, they report that overweight people have a lower death rate because they are much less likely to die from a grab bag of diseases that includes Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, infections and lung disease. And that lower risk is not counteracted by increased risks of dying from any other disease, including cancer, diabetes or heart disease."

I'm not...

[gbulmash]

I'm not pigging out. I'm defending against Alzheimers and Parkinsons.

Brilliant!

Lower death rate?

[seanadams.com]

So, less than 100%?

Re:Lower death rate?

[TitusC3v5]

Well, a little part of me dies every time they bring back the McRib. Does that count?

Re:I'm not...

[sm62704]

You should have linked the picture [owensworld.com].

Is there a link to Chinese traditional medicine?

[PHAEDRU5]

A Chinese colleague of mine once remarked that my buddha belly would mark me as a lucky person in China.

That's great, but...

[diesel66]

...they found out which diseases are more likely to lead to death in each weight group. Linking, for the first time, causes of death to specific weights...

That's great, but there's still that whole 'death' thing.

Wake me up when they work that one out. If I'm alive.

Re:The Times They Are A-Changin' ...

[GreyPoopon]

Besides, being underweight, I don't buy into it anyway.

Look, we all understand about denial. But this is your health we're talking about; there's no room for self-deception. Now go on. Eat that triple-burger and super-size fries. I know you can do it.

Re:Lower death rate?

[EMeta]

This research [theonion.com] is now a decade old, but it's the most recent I can find. The 100% death epidemic is just terrible.

Re:Interesting!

[CFBMoo1]

But it doesn't explain why all the /really/ old people you see are skinny. You won't find an overweight 90-year-old.

You haven't met my grandmother. She's getting there.

I take offense!

[Fr05t]

I'm a fat smoker. You insensitive clod!

Re:To bad for them, they should embrace early deat

[sm62704]

"Whenever you meet fat hookers, you feel bad, because you know they're going to eat you."

-mcgrew

Less EXCESS Deaths

[trongey]

The chart compares the number of "Excess" deaths. So I guess this really just means that us fat people are less likely to die more than once.

Re:Lower death rate?

[edwardpickman]

Hey most of my overweight friends are still alive. Maybe they have something there?

Re:I take offense!

[CrazyD]

Imagine how fat you'd be if you didn't smoke!

Re:I'm not...

[Retric]

To clarify underwater cave diving is insanely risky on a per hour basis. However, people spend several orders of magnitude more time at home than underwater cave diving.

So, where more people die at home going underwater cave diving still increases your risk.

PS: You can see the reduction in accident related deaths on the first link's chart.

Linking ... causes of death to specific weights

[fredrated]

So, can I look up what I will die from by my weight?

Re:I'm not...

[Anonymous Coward]

I'll take my chances on being thin, thanks.

It's thin people like you, who clearly are too lazy to put in the effort to get obese, that fat asses like me are paying for with my medical insurance. It truly sickens me.

Wow - I can see why thin people shout that kind of thing so often; it really is an ego kick, the superiority thing. It is nice to have a study to kinda wave around and get all preachy about - if only I could still raise my arm.

Re:duh

[Grygus]

Anyone who gorges on pizza, fries and milkshake as a result of this story deserves what they have coming.

An awesome lunch?