http://www.theguardian.com/society/2010/feb/14/elderly-overweight-lower-mortality-risk

“…being overweight was a major risk factor for many health problems, including Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, stroke, coronary disease, cancer and loss of physical function. “These are strong enough reasons to strive for a healthy weight and avoidance of obesity. Moreover, given all the adverse effects of obesity on health, it isn’t ­biologically plausible that being overweight would lower mortality risks.”

In recent years there has been quite a bit of “noise” about older adults [65+] experiencing longer lives when their BMI [body mass index] is slightly above federal standards.

The rationale is that, perhaps, in cases when people are undergoing surgery or experience illness, they have physical “reserves” to draw from that keep them alive longer.

But at what cost?

If I had the choice to be 70 years old, but in poor health, or in great health up to the moment I died at, say, 70, I’d pick the later.

This real issue here is quality of life, not survival.

If all we managed to do was survive, why bother?

This is why this “living longer with extra fat” narrative is absurd as a practical matter.

Nonetheless, it bears noting that every study indicates that sedentary lifestyles, in general, are the leading cause of illness and premature death among older adults.

Just ask the guys in the above photograph.