Hi all,
I thought this, as out this morning in Medscape Public Health
(http://mp.medscape.com/cgi-bin1/DM/y/ei6d0Jgw360F8N0FqjA0Aj , might be
of interest.

Xiaoxing Z. He, MD, MPH; David W. Baker, MD, MPH
Body Mass Index, Physical Activity, and the Risk of Decline in Overall
Health and Physical Functioning in Late Middle Age
Am J Public Health 94(9) 2004
http://mp.medscape.com/cgi-bin1/DM/y/ei6d0Jgw360F8N0GBZl0AQ


Abstract

Objectives: We examined the relation between body mass index, exercise,
overall health, and physical functioning.
Methods: We studied 7867 adults aged 51 to 61 years in 1992 to 1996.
Adjusted relative risks for health decline and new physical difficulties
were determined with logistic regression.
Results: Overweight and obesity were independently associated with
health decline (adjusted relative risk [ARR]=1.29 and 1.36) and
development of a new physical difficulty (ARR=1.27 and 1.45). Regular
exercise significantly reduced the risk of health decline and
development of a new physical difficulty, even among obese individuals.
Conclusions: Maintaining ideal body weight is important in preventing
decline in overall health and physical functioning. However, regular
exercise can reduce the risk of health decline even among individuals
who cannot achieve ideal weight.
................
Conclusion
In conclusion, our findings suggest that physician counseling and public
health messages regarding weight control should also target the large
population subgroup that is overweight as well as those who are obese.
Although the efficacy of physician counseling about lifestyle
modification is unclear, several studies have shown a positive
impact.[33,34] Emphasizing that maintaining normal weight and exercising
regularly can improve subjective health and physical functioning may
motivate some patients who are relatively insensitive to messages about
reducing their risk of cardiovascular disease and death. Finally, more
studies are needed to understand the benefits and harms of work-related
physical activities. Work-related physical activity varied greatly
according to race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status, and work-related
physical activity is inversely correlated with leisure-time physical
activity (data not shown). Thus, differences in work and leisure-time
physical activity may contribute to disparities in health and physical
functioning.
-----------------

Venus and Mercury: http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/venusmercury