When the world is up with arms to eradicate obesity across the world, to curb the related diseases, scientists have come up with a convincing reason for a obese to stay over-weight without resorting to all those hard slimming procedures.
Though younger obese people have a better choice to stay fat or shed that extra flesh, it is not that easy for the elderly obese people. If you are one of those worried herd, then its time to relax and enjoy your being fat!
Yes, being obese, you have a lower risk of falling ill with tuberculosis compared to your ‘underweight’ or ‘average weight’ counterparts.
With the epicenter of obesity being in places like Britain and Europe, records amazingly show a fall in TB figures in the places.
True, the link of obesity to health problems like hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease is established. But, experts say that overweight people tend to outlive those who are thin and suffering from these ailments.
According to a researcher, underweight people are found to be ’six times’ more likely to fall prey to tuberculosis compared to those who are obese.
Even the average weight people are no less vulnerable to the disease. They are found to be ‘three times’ more likely to risk with the disease than their obese counterparts.
In an interview, CC Leung, a consultant chest physician with the Department of Health in Hong Kong said,
This relationship is quite consistent, the heavier you are, the lower the risk. Our adipose (fatty) tissues not only control our metabolism, but also our endocrine and immunological systems. This is our conjecture, but it’s not without basis. In our studies (in Hong Kong), in ICU wards, overweight people have lower death rates than thin people,” Leung said. “We must find out why this is so.
But, although this link appears to be supported by a few theories, more studies into the finding are needed to establish the reasons for the apparent robustness of overweight people, especially when it comes to TB.
Apart from these clinical talks, obese people will now have all reasons to enjoy their love for junk foods and all those obesity-triggering activities.
