[readyfreddy]

Here is the link to this study on yahoo health today.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080205/...ygzc7yZCqs0NUE

I thought it was interesting for several reasons. One fat people (as defined by the parameters set in the study) are MORE expensive to treat per year, its just that they die much earlier (as do smokers) and thus end up with an overall lower cost than healthy weight people that live longer. I am also curious to know how this data will change now that there are more life saving things people can do to combat weight related illness and death (ie pills to lower blood pressure, surgeries, dialysis for type II diabetics etc etc).

I will admit to being biased before this article - I always thought that people who were overweight were burdening the health care system (insurance) etc because they would need more pills etc and thus cost more. When I was overweight (BMI wise) I always felt anxiety about this, oddly enough. Like you cant get mad at me for my weight until it affects you (general you, america) but at somepoint it will kind of thing.

This has made me rethink my assumptions but im not sure this is an arugement that its good to be over weight (unless of course you want decreased longevity). In addition I am curious about quality of life. In short I think this study is interesting but leaves a lot of qu unanswered.

anyways just thought i'd share!