A few extra pounds, Good or Bad ???

July 6, 2009

I came across an interesting article from Reuters news service. My comments will follow.

A few extra pounds can add years to your life: study
Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:04am EDT

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Carrying a little extra weight may actually be good for you, according to a Canadian study that showed a few pounds appear to protect people from an early death. Researchers found that while underweight and extremely obese people die earlier than people of a normal weight, people who are slightly overweight actually live longer than those of a normal weight. The findings of the new study were published online in the journal Obesity by researchers at Statistics Canada, Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland State University, Oregon Health & Science University, and McGill University.

To read the entire Reuters article... http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSTRE55N0C720090624?sp=true

Interesting study. I read only part of this article the first time I saw it. I was too busy eating my Five Guys Burger and Fries!!

Mmm Mmm Good !!!

But back on topic...

To understand this study better, let me first introduce you to medical definitions from the NIH (National Institutes of Health) that helps to determine if a person is overweight. The method that experts believe is best is to measure a person's body mass index (BMI). BMI is a calculation derived from your height and weight. A calculator to determine your BMI can be found at http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/

Adults with a BMI between 25 and 29.9 are considered overweight. There are exceptions. For example, an athlete may have a higher BMI but not be overweight.

Adults with a BMI greater than 30 are considered obese.

Anyone more than 100 pounds overweight is considered morbidly obese.

My electronic medical record is able to calculate your BMI for you. Just ask the next time you are at the office.

So is evaluating your health as simple as placing you into the following categories of underweight, average, or overweight?

No !!

Does looking like magazine supermodels make us healthy?

I'll answer that for you as well. NO!!! Most supermodels are underweight and even malnourished. Many have eating disorders. So while they may have fame and fortune, they do not necessarily have their "health".

So what does weight have to with health??

First you must answer why I chose this topic for a newsletter?

1) I was bored and felt like writing
2) My daughter is away at overnight camp, which left me with more free time.
3) It is important to advise my practice that while weight management is important for your overall health, the "number of pounds" that you weigh is only one indicator of you overall health.
4) I am trying to promote the idea that health and wellness is more than just monitoring your weight.

The answer is all of the above !!!

At The Institute For Medical Wellness, we use different methods and also different types of healthcare professionals to help you determine your overall health risk factors. Your weight is one factor. Your lab results may be another. What about your diet and exercise? Yes, we use that as well. Family History?? Extremely important!! I could go on and on, but then I may be giving away too many of my trade secrets ; )

But one thing we do, and do well, is think outside the box when it comes to your care. So before you say you are unhealthy and put yourself on a diet to "improve your health", look to The Institute For Medical Wellness to make sure you are on the right track. Our goal has always been to give you individualized, non-biased health guidance, regardless of what the so-called experts or majority say. When we are working with you, only two votes count, ours and yours!!

To Good Health !!!

Steven Horvitz, D.O.
Board Certified Family Medicine
Founder of The Institute For Medical Wellness
128 Borton Landing Road, Suite Two
Moorestown, NJ 08057
Phone 856-231-0590
Fax 856-294-0311
http://www.drhorvitz.com/