How many students are dieting? More than 70% of female college students are losing weight under social pressure ("Am I Thin Enough Yet?" Sharlene Hesse-Biber)

Can losing weight increase longevity? The association between intentional weight loss and longevity is unknown. (Am J Epidemiol 1995;141:1128-41.)

Who is happy? Only the underweight in the US are satisfied with their body weight and shape. (Obes Res 1997 Sep;5(5):402-9)

What is good for your heart? Being underweight increases the risk of death from heart diseases. (Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 1996 Jan;20(1):63-75)

What is good for your brain? Brain functions and even structure are impaired due to being underweight. (Psychol Med 1996 Mar;26(2):381-90)

What is cheaper?

Health care expenditures among both underweight and overweight are increased (Source: Clin Ther 1997 Jul-Aug;19(4):811-20)

What are death rates? Death rate was 0.9% among the people with ideal weight, 3.7% in the overweight, and 2.8% in the underweight. (Source: Am J Cardiol 1996 Sep 15;78(6):642-6)

Who has fractured bones? Bone fractures due to osteoporosis are more frequent among the underweight (Source: Rev Rhum Engl Ed 1996 Mar;63(3):201-6)

Whose cancer risk is higher? The risk of premenopausal breast cancer is higher among underweight women. (Source: Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1997 Oct;216(1):28-43)

What does protect the elderly? A slight overweight appears protective in senior citizens (Source: Versicherungsmedizin 1995 Feb 1;47(1):17-23)

Who is heavier but healthier? Mediterranean people are heavier but healthier than other Westerners. (Age Aging 1996 Jul;25(4):300-6)