(looks like exercise is the healthiest way to lose weight)
Med Sci Sports Exerc 1999 Aug:31(8): 1118-28
Thinness and weight loss: beneficial or detrimental to longevity?
Gaesser GA
Exercise Physiology Laboratory, University of Virginia
This review examined the hypotheses that 1) low body mass index (BMI) is optimal for longevity and 2) weight loss reduces mortality rates. The preponderance of epidemiological evidence fails to support either of these hypotheses. Indeed, a number of studies show that thiness and weight loss (regardless of initial BMI) are associated with increased mortality rates. These findings cannot be attributed to smoking status or to weight loss resulting from subclinical disease. The effect of intentional weight loss on mortality rates depends upon health status. For overweight individuals in good health, there is no compelling evidence to show that mortality rates are reduced with weight loss. Even among overweight persons with one or more obesity-related health conditions, specific weight loss recommendations may be unnecessary: 1) the reduction in mortality rate associated with intentional weight loss is independant of the amount of weight loss, 2) the reductions in all-cause mortality rate associated with increased physical activity and fitness (23-44%), independant of changes in body weight,are greater than that reported for intentional weight loss (approximately 20%), and 3) many obesity-related health conditions (e.g., hypertension, dyslipidemias, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance) can be ameliorated independantly of weight loss. In view of the potential risks associated with weight loss and weight cycling, it is suggested that public health may be better served by placing greater emphasis on lifestyle changes and less attention to weight loss per se.