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Wow, such like the medical community to keep reversing their conclusions.

<i>CDC: Dangers of being overweight overstated
Associated Press

CHICAGO — Being overweight is nowhere near as big a killer as the government thought, ranking No. 7 instead of No. 2 among the nation's leading preventable causes of death, according to a startling new calculation from the CDC.



The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated today that packing on too many pounds accounts for 25,814 deaths a year in the United States. As recently as January, the CDC came up with an estimate 14 times higher: 365,000 deaths.

The new analysis found that obesity — being extremely overweight — is indisputably lethal. But like several recent smaller studies, it found that people who are modestly overweight actually have a lower risk of death than those of normal weight.

Biostatistician Mary Grace Kovar, a consultant for the University of Chicago's National Opinion Research Center in Washington, said "normal" may be set too low for today's population. Also, Americans classified as overweight are eating better, exercising more and managing their blood pressure better than they used to, she said.

The study — an analysis of mortality rates and body-mass index, or BMI — was published in Wednesday's Journal of the American Medical Association.

Based on the new calculation, excess weight would drop from the second leading cause of preventable death, after smoking, to seventh. It would fall behind car crashes and guns on the list of killers.

Calculating the health effects of obesity has been a major source of controversy at the CDC.

Last year, the CDC issued a study that said being overweight causes 400,000 deaths a year and would soon overtake tobacco as the top U.S. killer. After scientists inside and outside the agency questioned the figure, the CDC admitted making a calculation error and lowered its estimate three months ago to 365,000.

CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding said because of the uncertainty in calculating the health effects of being overweight, the CDC is not going to use the brand-new figure of 25,814 in its public awareness campaigns and is not going to scale back its fight against obesity.

"There's absolutely no question that obesity is a major public health concern of this country," she said. Gerberding said the CDC will work to improve methods for calculating the consequences of obesity.

Dr. JoAnn Manson, chief of preventive medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, said she is not convinced the new estimate is right.

"I think it's likely there has been a weakening of the mortality effect due to improved treatments for obesity," she said. "But I think this magnitude is surprising and requires corroboration."

The analysis was led by Katherine Flegal, a senior research scientist with the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics. The study that had to be corrected was conducted by a different arm of the CDC, the Division of Adult and Community Health, and its authors included Gerberding.

One major reason for the far lower number in this latest study is that it used more recent data, researchers said.

"This analysis is far more sophisticated," said Kovar, who was not involved in the new study. "They are very careful and are not overstating their case."

A related study, also in Wednesday's JAMA, found that overweight Americans are healthier than ever, thanks to better maintenance of blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Diabetes is on the rise among people in all weight categories, however.

Flegal said the two studies raise questions about what definitions to use for obesity and "where to draw the line." Under current government standards, a BMI, or weight-to-height measurement, of 25 or higher is overweight; 30 and above is obese.

In recent years, the government has spent millions of dollars fighting obesity and publicizing the message that two out of three American adults are overweight or obese, and at higher risk for heart disease, arthritis and diabetes.
</i>



Edited by - Tritonal-05 on Apr 19 2005 8:31 PM

So, an overweight, gun-tottin', beer-swillin', Camel-smokin', NASCAR wannabe (aka the stereotypical Redneck) has the life expectancy of say, a dragonfly? (one day)<img src=newicons/anim_shock.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=newicons/anim_lol.gif border=0 align=middle> Heck of a ride getting there, though!

"Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together...." - Carl Zwanzig

_________________
\"Those who hammer their guns into plows
will plow for those who do not.\"
- Thomas Jefferson

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>an overweight, gun-tottin', beer-swillin', Camel-smokin', NASCAR wannabe (aka the stereotypical Redneck)<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

I aspire to that kind of life (all be it a short one)...

"A .44 magnum beats 4 Aces everytime..."

"Only the good die young..."<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

"Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together...." - Carl Zwanzig

_________________
\"Those who hammer their guns into plows
will plow for those who do not.\"
- Thomas Jefferson

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>So, an overweight, gun-tottin', beer-swillin', Camel-smokin', NASCAR wannabe (aka the stereotypical Redneck) has the life expectancy of say, a dragonfly? (one day) <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

NASCAR: Not-Athletic Sport Centered Around Rednecks

"Retreat, hell! We just got here!"-Captain Lloyd Williams, 2nd Marine Division, Belleau Wood, France, WWI

LMFAO...

10/10 BR...

"A .44 magnum beats 4 Aces everytime..."

One does One's best

"Retreat, hell! We just got here!"-Captain Lloyd Williams, 2nd Marine Division, Belleau Wood, France, WWI

<img src=newicons/anim_lol.gif border=0 align=middle>
have to remember that on BR... great

"Did you know? You can use your old motor oil to fertilize your lawn! -- Environmental Protection Agency."

_________________
\"My name's Pitt, and you ain't talkin' your ass outta this shit.\"

Good shot, BR!<img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle>

"Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together...." - Carl Zwanzig

_________________
\"Those who hammer their guns into plows
will plow for those who do not.\"
- Thomas Jefferson

He's doing OK for a youngster.

"A .44 magnum beats 4 Aces everytime..."

Redeeming himself nicely, don't you think?

"Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together...." - Carl Zwanzig

_________________
\"Those who hammer their guns into plows
will plow for those who do not.\"
- Thomas Jefferson

Yep,

I put it down to our influence.

"A .44 magnum beats 4 Aces everytime..."

"Absolute"ly <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> Afterall, we do have <i>some</i> responsibility to the younger generation.

"Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together...." - Carl Zwanzig

_________________
\"Those who hammer their guns into plows
will plow for those who do not.\"
- Thomas Jefferson

Good one BR.
And if you don't manage to make anyone laugh, be happy in the fact that you made yourself chuckle.

<i>...I have alot of experience with that. <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle></i>

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>we do have some responsibility to the younger generation<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

I do believe we need to point out a path to the next generation.

And then we should immediately head off in the other direction...

"A .44 magnum beats 4 Aces everytime..."

Yup. Meet you on the WT front porch. I've got the first round while we watch the future unfold...WT-style!

"Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together...." - Carl Zwanzig

_________________
\"Those who hammer their guns into plows
will plow for those who do not.\"
- Thomas Jefferson

<img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle> That really does sound like a plan...

"A .44 magnum beats 4 Aces everytime..."

And who thought old geezers like you didn't know how to have fun? I mean, you guys all must paint the town red every night, before you go to sleep at 8:00PM, that is...

"Retreat, hell! We just got here!"-Captain Lloyd Williams, 2nd Marine Division, Belleau Wood, France, WWI

Yeah, 8p.m. <b>the next day!</b> Goll-dang ungrateful whipper-snapper!! Hand me my teeth so's I can bite 'im!<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

"Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together...." - Carl Zwanzig

_________________
\"Those who hammer their guns into plows
will plow for those who do not.\"
- Thomas Jefferson

Your powers are useless against me: I'm already onto the darkside.

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote> Yeah, 8p.m. the next day! Goll-dang ungrateful whipper-snapper!! Hand me my teeth so's I can bite 'im! <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

Warning! Warning! Words Unknown! Unable to register in any known dictionary! Goll-dang, Whipper-snapper, so's - unable to locate in modern terms. Unable to translate message! Abort, Retry, Ignore?

"Retreat, hell! We just got here!"-Captain Lloyd Williams, 2nd Marine Division, Belleau Wood, France, WWI

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote> Yeah, 8p.m. the next day<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

Oh Lord, I've been there...

The next few days after a session like that are just bad beyond belief...

"A .44 magnum beats 4 Aces everytime..."

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote> Yeah, 8p.m. the next day<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

Oh Lord, I've been there...

The next few days after a session like that are just bad beyond belief...

"A .44 magnum beats 4 Aces everytime..."
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

Not if you're a teenager, they're not...

Yeah, I really enjoy rubbing it in <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=newicons/anim_bannana.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=newicons/anim_lol.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=newicons/saevil.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=newicons/bounce.gif border=0 align=middle>
<img src=newicons/anim_bannana.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=newicons/anim_bannana.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=newicons/anim_bannana.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=newicons/anim_bannana.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=newicons/anim_bannana.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=newicons/anim_bannana.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=newicons/anim_bannana.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=newicons/anim_bannana.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=newicons/anim_bannana.gif border=0 align=middle>

"Retreat, hell! We just got here!"-Captain Lloyd Williams, 2nd Marine Division, Belleau Wood, France, WWI

Listen you...

By the time you hit your mid 20's you'll find hangovers start to last longer than 4 hours.

By the time you're in your mid to late 30's, you will still be feeling shit 48 hours after a serious session.

You might be laughing now, but I'm OK in the knowledge that your time is coming and soon you'll be suffering like the rest of us old un's.

And don't even get me started about what else starts to go wrong at this age.

So enjoy it while you can. And be happy that by the time you need one, they'll be growing replacement livers in jars.

You can do a pert-ex, a new liver for your brain. You should get a good deal on that. After all your brain is pretty low milage <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>...

"A .44 magnum beats 4 Aces everytime..."

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>By the time you hit your mid 20's you'll find hangovers start to last longer than 4 hours.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

Wait, have I mentioned that I've NEVER had a hangover?

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>By the time you're in your mid to late 30's, you will still be feeling shit 48 hours after a serious session.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

Not if you sleep through the whole thing.

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>You might be laughing now, but I'm OK in the knowledge that your time is coming and soon you'll be suffering like the rest of us old un's.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

Well, I've still got a good dozen years to party.

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>And don't even get me started about what else starts to go wrong at this age.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

No, I actually do! Please, what else is wrong with you?

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>So enjoy it while you can. And be happy that by the time you need one, they'll be growing replacement livers in jars.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

And you'll be keeping your teeth in a glass jar <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>You can do a pert-ex, a new liver for your brain. You should get a good deal on that. After all your brain is pretty low milage ... <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

Not for lack of usage, mind you, rather it just takes me less effort to use my brain then it takes you. More bang for the buck, you might say...

"Retreat, hell! We just got here!"-Captain Lloyd Williams, 2nd Marine Division, Belleau Wood, France, WWI