Death rates in people with BMIs over 30?

[Guest guest]

What are the statistics on death rates in people with BMIs over 30 who are

physically active? Conventional wisdom is they are lower than in inactive

people— but maybe not.

I am a 61 year old masters discus thrower and have competed and lifted weights

since 1963 (with only a few short breaks). My BMI is 31, but I am in good shape.

During the past few years, eight friends died at relatively young ages (55-66

yr), all of whom were world class strength athletes and physically active. While

eight observations don't mean much, it makes me nervous.

I only know of one study that examined death rates in former strength athletes: 

Parssinen M, Kujala U,

Vartiainen E, Sarna S and Seppala T. Increased premature mortality of

competitive powerlifters suspected to have used anabolic agents. Int J Sports

Med 21: 225-227, 2000. While interesting, it suffered from a small sample size.

Some young researcher should do a large scale epidemiological study on longevity

and health in old strength athletes.

Tom Fahey

California State Univ, Chico

==================================

Re: Pay the obese to lose weight

,

My opinion is that the guidelines the insurance companies are using to

set rates were determined based on the health of the average American,

which we know is pretty pathetic. The BMI index is great for the

average Joe or Jane20who may or may not do some some sort of exercise

for 30 minutes per day. We as athletes cannot fit into these

guidelines and maintain our health simultaneously. We are outside

the confidence levels of their curve and they have no financial reason

to make exceptions for us. We chose our lifestyles, life is not fair,

and we need to look at this as the price we pay for being athletes.

Most of us pay a financial price for something in our lives where we

are not considered normal. Fighting for fairness is expensive, time

consuming, draining, and takes focus away from our livelihoods.

Sometimes it's worth the fight and sometimes not, depending on what

makes you personally happy. I've heard the expression " CODB " , which

means Cost of Doing Business. This is what I say to myself when I run

into these situations.

I would love to see a change to the guidelines so we are included in

the definition of " healthy population " but I fear we (the people in

this group who are discussing this) may need to instigate it ourselves

because we are the only population that cares. This will cost time,

money and take focus away from our livelihoods.

Gloria Bach

Willseyville NY

>

> >20The underwriter told me it was SOLELY MY BODYWEIGHT and that I could

> > undertake a medical review at MY expense and they do NOT reverse

> > these decisions.

>

> hi DD,

>

> So I'm guessing the next step is finding out exactly;

> 1. what criteria the right hand of god uses to control your life,

> 2. what the cost is,

> 3. if there is any other possibility of appeal,(not likely)

> 4. if exceptional blood characteristics and a winsome attitude would

> sway said inquisitioners?

>

> Jerry Telle

> Lakewood CO USA