Women's Running features plus-sized cover model

[LongTimeListener]

Stop citing BMI. It's a garbage figure that bears no resemblance to real life.

Why being 'overweight' actually means you live longer

Despite the fact that study after study has demonstrated quite clearly that "overweight" people live the longest, no one can bring themselves to say: "Sorry, we were wrong. A BMI between 25 and 29 is the healthiest weight of all. For those of you between 20 and 25, I say, eat more, become healthier." Who would dare say such a thing? Not anyone with tenure at a leading university, that's for sure.

In truth, this discussion should not quite stop here. For even when we get into those with a BMI greater than 30, those who truly are defined as "obese", the health dangers are greatly overestimated, mainly because of the widespread use of what I call the statistical "clumping game". Obesity researchers are world-leading experts at the clumping game. In most studies, the entire population is divided ("clumped") into four groups: underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese – obese being defined as a BMI of 30 and above. That means those with a BMI of 31 are clumped together as part of a group which includes those with a BMI of 50 – and above. What does this tell us about the health problems of having a BMI of 31? Well, absolutely nothing.

 

[Dick Whitman]

Stop citing BMI. It's a garbage figure that bears no resemblance to real life.

Why being 'overweight' actually means you live longer

Despite the fact that study after study has demonstrated quite clearly that "overweight" people live the longest, no one can bring themselves to say: "Sorry, we were wrong. A BMI between 25 and 29 is the healthiest weight of all. For those of you between 20 and 25, I say, eat more, become healthier." Who would dare say such a thing? Not anyone with tenure at a leading university, that's for sure.

In truth, this discussion should not quite stop here. For even when we get into those with a BMI greater than 30, those who truly are defined as "obese", the health dangers are greatly overestimated, mainly because of the widespread use of what I call the statistical "clumping game". Obesity researchers are world-leading experts at the clumping game. In most studies, the entire population is divided ("clumped") into four groups: underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese – obese being defined as a BMI of 30 and above. That means those with a BMI of 31 are clumped together as part of a group which includes those with a BMI of 50 – and above. What does this tell us about the health problems of having a BMI of 31? Well, absolutely nothing.

That's reminiscent of the headlines about bacon being as dangerous as cigarettes, regarding cancer, because some muckety muck decided to put them in the same broad "category."

 

[LongTimeListener]

Does this mean I have ferreted out your point?!?!

 

[justgladtobehere]

Why do people continue to take the bait? Just ignore him.

 

[MisterCreosote]

I went to a "BMI calculator" and mine is apparently 29.1 and I'm "overweight," which is a load of horse****. I'm 5'7" and about 190 pounds, and I'm WAY healthier now than I was when I weighed 140 pounds.

Speaking ****'s language, using "BMI" to judge overall health = using "wins" to judge a pitcher's performance.

 

[Dick Whitman]

Why do people continue to take the bait? Just ignore him.

They do so at their peril, and I think people know this.

I've had people PM me to thank me for helping them think through something in ways they never would have thought before.

 

[Mr. Sunshine]

They do so at their peril, and I think people know this.

I've had people PM me to thank me for helping them think through something in ways they never would have thought before.

I know without this thread I would not have learned that being overweight is actually the key to longevity.

 

[Dick Whitman]

I know without this thread I would not have learned that being overweight is actually the key to longevity.

See? Sometimes posters are so gracious, that they don't bother with the PM. They just express their gratitude for all to see.

Sunshine, it goes without saying, but nonetheless: You are quite welcome.

 

[TyWebb]

**** politely raises his concerns about the "body-positive movement" with the local feminist organization:

 

[WriteThinking]

Everybody realizes that a "plus-size" woman model usually wears a size 10, 12, or maybe a 14 pants, right?

Which is what most people wear.

 

[Dick Whitman]

Everybody realizes that a "plus-size" woman model usually wears a size 10, 12, or maybe a 14 pants, right?

Which is what most people wear.

Which brings in a while new issue: Are these magazines, who are trying to do a good deed here, actually doing harm instead by labeling people as "plus-sized" who may not be "plus-sized" at all?

 

[MisterCreosote]

Who actually uses the term "plus-sized?" As far as I can tell, it's the ****-for-brains media types and very few others.

 

[Dick Whitman]

Who actually uses the term "plus-sized?" As far as I can tell, it's the ****-for-brains media types and very few others.

Marketers. It's a case of the media co-opting what marketers sell them. It's a triumph of messaging.

 

[MisterCreosote]

But the usage is generally meaningless, and certainly not co-opted by the models themselves, because the term refers to the average size of other models, not ordinary people. By that scale, anyone above a size 2 is "plus-sized."

 

[I Should Coco]

Weight loss plan in one sentence: If it tastes good, spit it out.

 

[LongTimeListener]

Weight loss plan in one sentence: If it tastes good, spit it out.

Patient: "Doc, how long am I going to live?"

Doctor: "Do you smoke?"

Patient: "No."

Doctor: "Do you eat red meat?"

Patient: "No."

Doctor: "Do you drink alcohol?"

Patient: "No."

Doctor: "Then why does it matter how long you live?"

 

[exmediahack]

I went to a "BMI calculator" and mine is apparently 29.1 and I'm "overweight," which is a load of horse****. I'm 5'7" and about 190 pounds, and I'm WAY healthier now than I was when I weighed 140 pounds.

Speaking ****'s language, using "BMI" to judge overall health = using "wins" to judge a pitcher's performance.

Same here. Was 6'4 185 in college. Now 6'4 230 now twenty years later. Yet now I can run long distances with ease, lift a lot more and overall stamina is far longer. There's some fat mixed in with the muscle, I admit.

 

[justgladtobehere]

They do so at their peril, and I think people know this.

I've had people PM me to thank me for helping them think through something in ways they never would have thought before.

It's always by PM it seems. Funny, isn't?

 

[Ace]

I love how **** tries to tiptoe around the impression

They do so at their peril, and I think people know this.

I've had people PM me to thank me for helping them think through something in ways they never would have thought before.

The only opinion **** shares that doesn't seem to be a sneak attempt to sway the jury is that his wife has a bangin' hot body.

 

[Born to Run]

Why anybody would have a problem with that cover is beyond me. If it makes one person say, "If she can do it, so can I" then that's awesome. And I say that from the perspective of someone who's pretty fit and not at all overweight. (Getting in the humble brag spirit in honor of, excuse my language, **** .)