A new report suggests that being overweight
is not as harmful as is commonly believed,
and actually confers some surprising benefits.
Being five to ten pounds overweight could
protect people from ailments ranging from
tuberculosis to Alzheimer's disease, research
indicates. Those carrying 15 to 25 extra pounds
are better able to recover from adverse conditions
such as emphysema, pneumonia, and various
injuries and infections, states the report.
Thirty to forty pounds of flab could help fend
off breast, kidney, pancreatic, prostate, and
colon cancer. And an extra fifty pounds on the
scale may improve eyesight, reverse baldness,
cure the common cold, and reduce global warming.
In general, the report concludes, overweight
people are happier, more successful in business,
smarter, and friendlier.
The study was funded by a research grant from
McDonald's, Burger King, Jack in the Box,
Taco Bell, Domino's Pizza, Starbucks, Haagen Dazs,
Sara Lee, and Krispy Kreme.