Study Says Even a Little Extra Weight is Dangerous
Published Date: 08-23-2006 11:07 PM CT
Baby boomers beware. A new study shows just a little pudge may pose major health risks. Doctor Mallika Marshall explains.
There's no question obesity greatly increases the risk of health problems and even death. But what danger does just packing a few extra pounds pose? Over the years studies on the overweight have been conflicting.
Dr. Dennis Gage/Lenox Hill Hospital: there were some studies that showed that being overweight didn't have any effect at all. For people trying to lose weight it's tough to decipher the mixed message.
William Scott/-years-old all the studies in the world, I don't think the average person reads studies or even believes in them that much.
Well doctors want people to believe a large new study in the New England journal of medicine. The first of its kind research followed a half million baby boomers and found even a few extra pounds can be dangerous to your health. Overweight can mean anything from 5 to 29 pounds too heavy. According to the data people overweight at age 50 had a 20 to 40 percent higher risk of death compared to people of normal weight.
And Lenox Hill Hospital's doctor Dennis Gage says as a person's pounds go up so too does the risk.
Dr Dennis Gage/lenox Hill Hospital: a lot of people walking around don't understand that minimal changes in weight have maximal effects on your health. Experts believe this new research should end any debate on the overweight question.
For William Scott, who's lost 1 hundred pounds in the past two years and is still losing it only encourages him to continue. William Scott/-years-old it isn't just losing weight, it's learning to eat right, it's learning to exercise correctly, getting enough sleep, drinking enough water. Many would do well to follow William's lead. It's estimated two thirds of Americans are overweight or obese, putting them all at a greater risk of death.
Doctor Mallika Marshall, CBS news.
©2004 Dennis Gage, M.D., F.A.C.P.
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