When people weight train, they add extra weight. This strengthens muscles, including the heart. It's entirely possible this is one of the off-setting factors. The fact of the matter is the research shows a minimal impact on longevity. It simply does. There IS one ... obesity is definitely disabling ... but it's not the "fat people die young" myth that we're all told. It simply isn't. If you don't believe me, talk to a weight doctor who's gone to school in the last ten years.

>and yet we let morbidly obese people get a free pass.

I didn't realize there were people giving out free passes! Who are they? I want one! lol I've been verbally attacked in supermarkets by *chain smokers*, for heaven's sake. My mother (an alcoholic) hated fat people. Many, many times people direct their own control issues at obvious targets - like fat people and smokers. Most people have their control issues hidden. We unfortunate ones do not. But our health is our business -- not theirs. Who is anyone to hand out "free passes" to a fellow flawed human being?

>There's no arguing that fact - it's all physics and makes perfect sense.

It may make "perfect sense" (which seems to be the emotional version of "common sense"), but it's not true. Obesity does not cause hypertension. It simply doesn't. It MAY improve existing hypertension to lose weight, but not in all cases.

>tons of studies

Cite them with sources, not hyperbole. I've given mine here and will give others in PM if asked.

> and I'm ready for the flame shield) i

My friend, I'M the one being flamed. People just hate to have their comfortable prejudices questioned. I'm just saying people should INFORM THEMSELVES and not believe conventional wisdom -- if the snipes at me aren't a clear sign that prejudices are being questioned, I don't know what is.

It's like rationally discussing gayness with fundamentalist Christians. They've been taught so long to see things from only one perspective, they can't see it any other way.

>just don't see how melody can claim that morbid obesity can pretty much be ignored.

Where did I say that?