RESUMO
The 'obesity paradox' refers to observations that run counter to the thesis that normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9 g/m(2)) provides the lowest mortality and higher weight is associated with greater mortality. We argue that the weight of lowest mortality is influenced by aging and chronic disease, with mortality advantage extending into the overweight and even class I obese ranges under some circumstances. A focus on quality nutrition, physical activity, fitness, and maintaining function in these weight ranges may be preferable to a focus on intentional weight loss, which has uncertain effects. The 'obesity paradox' is no 'paradox' if one defines and interprets 'ideal' weight appropriately.
Assuntos
Obesidade/mortalidade , Envelhecimento , Distribuição da Gordura Corporal , Índice de Massa Corporal , Doenças Cardiovasculares/mortalidade , Doenças Cardiovasculares/fisiopatologia , Exercício Físico , Humanos , Estilo de Vida , Estado Nutricional , Obesidade/fisiopatologia , Fatores de Risco , Fatores de Tempo , Redução de PesoRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To compare activity levels between a simulated "historical" lifestyle and a "modern" lifestyle to try to validate earlier estimates of secular changes in activity. DESIGN: Triaxial accelerometers (TRACMORs) were used to measure activity levels in a "historical" group of seven male actors who were paid to live like early Australian settlers at a theme park north of Sydney (eg, minimising the use of modern technology) for a week. Results were compared with those from a group of seven "modern" sedentary office workers. RESULTS: Activity levels were up to 2.3 times greater in the historical group than the modern group. Calculations based on body weight and energy expenditure suggest the difference is the equivalent of walking up to 16 km per day more in the past than today. CONCLUSIONS: These findings accord with two previous estimates of changes in daily activity levels over time and suggest that recent public health guidelines for increasing physical activity may be inadequate.
Assuntos
Metabolismo Energético , Exercício Físico , Estilo de Vida , Adulto , Austrália , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
A retrospective study of the sociocultural and behavioral characteristics of 200 persons under treatment for narcotic addiction was done and the results compared with those of 200 matched nonaddict peers. Twenty-eight of the original 104 items tested were found to discriminate between the two samples at the 5% level of significance. A factor analysis of these items indicated that a general delinquency behavior factor and three family background factors accounted for most of the variance in the data.