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DEL.ICIO.USFat Men are Happier, but you might get Prostate Cancer
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Not that long ago, you might have seen on the news that “fat men are happier than skinny men.” This would then may lead you to think, “Well, there you go, there is no point in doing diet and exercise because I won’t be happy.” However, as always, the report of the study can be misconceiving and misreported. The statistics date back to 1986 measuring the BMI (body mass index) of 45,000 men.
According to the study, if you are a male with a BMI under 21, you are more likely to commit suicide by 39%. Key word is more likely. This is just a matter of a correlation that does’t prove much of anything else. In other words, just because you have a BMI under 21 doesn’t make you healthy. Have you ever known a cigarette smoker or alcoholic that is skinny? How about drug addicts?
What is funny is that the experts contribute higher levels of insulin and mood-altering hormones to the happiness of the overweight. (By the way, just because you have a BMI over 21 doesn’t make you overweight or “over-fat” either. I can harp on that another time though). This I find interesting, because we know that higer levels of insulin and other hormones such as serotonin can work backwards on you causing you to be more depressed. This is aside from the fact that you are more prone to chronic diseases.
In the same week of the report you hear, “obesity increases incidence of prostate cancer.” So, my question to you is this: If there is a higher prevalence of cancer and other diseases associated to obesity, how can you be happier? I mean who says, “alright I got cancer” or “woo hoo, I have diabetes?!” I would be willing to bet not very many.
What we do know, as a fact, that both men and women are happier when they have a fit lifestyle (not just be skinny). Researchers got this information by looking beyond the BMI and looking at many factors.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Health
Comments
By Chris
March 21, 2007 8:12 AM | Link to this
I remember seeing the clip on some news station. Being a fat guy once myself, I can tell you that I am a lot less depressed now that I am fit.
By Frank
March 21, 2007 8:16 AM | Link to this
You sum it up very well when you say - “both men and women are happier when they have a fit lifestyle (not just be skinny)”
I think no matter what one looks like, 99.999% of the population (at least in America) do not like there bodies because we are our own worst critics.
I believe there is something inside of everybody that says “I need to get (or stay) in shape”. When we don’t heed to that voice it affects us (everyone in different ways).
Maybe it is true “fat men are happier than skinny men”, but like u said, there are many factors to that and “skinny men” can run the risk of health problems also.
Good points Kelly!
By Wes
March 21, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this
Marketing, Marketing, Marketing… when so much of the research done on obesity & fitness is done or contracted by big business, the result is tons & tons of misinformation…
It’s a wonder anyone ever loses weight with the perpetual onslaught of misinformation that is constantly thrown at the public.
Was I happier when I was on insulin-regulating drugs than I am today?
Was I happier when I had to purchase size 40 pants w/ an elastic stretch band because I refused to by 42” pants?
Was I happier when I couldn’t get through the afternoon without an involuntary 3pm nap?
I guess if happiness = a sugar high, then the answer would be “Yes”…
Bottom line: I am happier Fit, than un-Fit. Period.
Great article, Kelly!