(USA Today by Nanci Hellmich)--Folks who are just slightly
overweight but have resolved to lose weight in the new year may
give their plans second thoughts in the wake of a controversial
new federal analysis. People who are overweight by up to 30 or
so pounds have a slightly lower risk of early death than those
at a normal weight, the government analysis finds. The review of
97 studies showed that people who are extremely obese -- roughly
60 or more pounds over a normal weight -- have a greater risk of
dying early than those who are at a normal weight. About two-
thirds of people in the USA are too heavy; a third are obese,
which is roughly 35 or more pounds over a normal weight. Obesity
is linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, heart
disease, stroke and many types of cancer. Katherine Flegal and
colleagues at the National Center for Health Statistics, part of
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reviewed the
studies, which tracked 3 million adults from around the world.
The research looked