Entrevista con Steve Blair

Steve Blair, presidente del Instituto Cooper, un organismo que investiga sobre temas de salud preventiva, entre ellos la obesidad y el sobrepeso, habló con Silvia Camargo, de SEMANA.

1 de mayo de 2005

SEMANA: What do you think of the results? Is really the obesity epidemia not that big, as you said in the article? Steve Blair: Yes, I think that previous estimates on the number of deaths due to obesity were incorrect and were far too high. The recent study is the best that has been done, and I think Dr Flegal's estimates are more realistic. SEMANA: Have other studies shown the same findings as this one? S.B.: No, but the other studies had serious methodological flaws. The major flaw has been that the earlier authors did not take into account the data that show no association between BMI and mortality in older persons. Since most deaths occur in older persons, there are not enough deaths left in those under 70 years of age to allow for obesity to cause 300,000-365,000 deaths/year. SEMANA: What is the practical lesson of the study? Can people relax a little in terms of weight? S.B.: I think people should not obsess so much about weight. They should focus on healthful diet and regular physical activity.