5-Point Increase in BMI Lead You 31% Closer to Death - - Even a Bit Overweight is Riskier Revealed by New Study

Your risk of death rises steadily with every overweight pound you gain, a huge study funded by the National Institutes of Health confirms.

A recent study, funded by National Institutes of Health, confirms that every extra pound of weight, someone gains, is a step towards the risk of his/her death. 

Risk of death rises by threatening 31% with every 5-point increase in BMI, a measure of body mass based on weight and height. Most importantly this conclusion prevails even if one is not used to smoke an apparently enjoying good health.

Data is being presented here; shows clearly that how close an increase in BMI can take you to the death risk! The data below; compares the increase in BMI with the normal BMI i.e. 22.5 to 24.9.

* A BMI of 25.0 to 29.9 increased death risk by 13%

* A BMI of 30.0 to 34.9 increased death risk by 44%

* A BMI of 35.0 to 39.9 increased death risk by 88%

* A BMI of 40.0 to 49.9 increased death risk by 251%

The above-mentioned figures are for men and women who do not smoke and who have no underlying disease.

Being underweight may also increase death risk, but it's not clear whether underlying, undetected disease might account for this finding.

Amy Berrington de Gonzalez, DPhil, of the National Institutes of Health, and colleagues stated:

"We conclude that for non-Hispanic whites, both overweight and obesity are associated with increased all-cause mortality," they conclude. "All-cause mortality is generally lowest within the BMI range of 20.0 to 24.9."

Calories Calculating Mobile App developed by NTT Communications, Japan - - Evaluates the Color and Shape of Food and Compares Them to a Database

A new weapon in the fight against fat is under way: a mobile application that makes the calorie count based on picture of the food on their plate.

Although there are applications for this purpose, these programs require users to enter the type of food and caloric information. Since the software developed by NTT Communications, Japan, evaluates the color and shape of food and compares them to a database, calculating the calories.

Information about 100 thousand different foods are stored on a server operated by the company and can be accessed via smart phone. The application is even considering the portion sizes and adjusting the calorie count accordingly.

The company, which believes that the application can be the first of its kind in the world, has been testing the solution internally and will offer a free beta version from January. The criticisms have been favorable, but more is needed to refine the project, said the spokesman.

To expand a bit on the functions, the application will allow customers to exchange information on food and caloric content. Planned resources include suggestions for menus and exercises to reduce and burn calories.