Maintaining a healthy weight throughout your life has long been considered a way to stave off disease and promote longevity. However, a new study published by The American Geriatrics Society suggests that in a survey of elderly Australians, those who were slightly overweight were 13 percent less likely to die over a ten-year span than individuals who were at the recommended weight.
According to the World Health Organization, those who have a BMI of over 30 are considered to be obese, and a healthy body mass index (BMI) is anywhere between 18.5 and 24.9.
"We're not advocating that people get obese," Dr Thomas Yoshikawa, a physician not involved in the study, told Reuters. However, he added that the research suggested that "if you are five or 10 pounds heavier, it's better than being five or 10 pounds lighter."
That said, the news shouldn't be considered carte blanche to tuck into junk food. The National Institute of Health urges seniors to choose low-calorie and low fat foods to control their cholesterol levels, blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
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