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Being overweight can lead to a lot of illnesses and health issues. This is why a lot of people are trying to lose weight. They try different weight loss techniques, diets, and exercises in hope of losing those extra pounds. This is why the article that came out in the Washington Post three years ago came as a shock to most people who were able to read it. The article by Rob Stein, a staff writer at the Washington Post (”Study Says Weight Loss May Raise Risk of Death”, published in June 2005) revealed the surprising result of a study conducted at the Copenhagen University Hospital in Finland. The study showed that 86 percent of participants who lost weight on purpose are likely to die for any reason over the next 18 years as compared to those who never attempted any weight loss techniques.

This study has revived the long-standing debate whether health authorities are just exaggerating the risk of being overweight or not. Experts, however, say that the result of the study still needs further proof. They are firm on their stand that being overweight increases a person’s health risk. And they have an overwhelming evidence to support this claim.

Similar studies have been conducted prior to the Copenhagen study. While it also led to the same conclusion–that those who lost weight have an increased risk of dying–the cause of weight loss is attributed to illnesses. Some evidences have hinted that trying to lose weight intentionally can be unhealthy for the overweight class who are relatively healthy (or those people who, despite being overweight, don’t have symptoms of such health issues connected to being overweight like diabetes and high blood pressure). Some experts say that losing body muscle could have detrimental effects on some vital organs.

This study, which received both positive and negative criticisms from the medical community and the academe, was never meant to discourage people from losing weight. The researchers hope to stimulate more research that deals with the benefits and relative risks of weight loss.

Until further studies have been conducted, the truth about weight loss would remain unclear. Accepted norms would tell us that there are no risks in losing weight if you do it the right way. But some medical experts are welcoming the idea that there could be possible health risks if people who have high BMI (or Body Mass Index) attempt to lose those extra pounds. Because it will lead to further studies and researches. After all, a generally accepted belief is considered as the truth unless strong evidence is found to prove otherwise. But until that evidence has been found, the medical world would be firm on their stand regarding the subject matter.

In the end, it would still be our decision if we want to lose weight or not. No medical studies can change this fact. Perhaps the best thing to do is to take a good look at ourselves. If we feel that we are at risk of having serious illnesses, then there is a need for us to lose weight.

Resources: Dallas helps people discover weight loss diet nutrition that can help provide a safe and healthy way of losing weight by following the research. At AllSci.org you can find more information about, for example, the protein weight loss diets which have been shown so effective in clinical research.