Have you heard the news reports about the recent study publicized in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) that seemed to suggest it might be okay, after all, to be overweight? With all the conflicting information we’ve had about the subject, could this possibly be true?

The researchers in the study analyzed national data and came up with the following conclusions:

Obesity can be linked to approximately 112,000 deaths annually in the U.S. That number was cited as far less than any previous estimates. The real shocker was the finding that people who are moderately overweight but not obese, may have a lower death rate than those who are considered to be of normal weight. (Stay tuned for more studies about this one!)

The ramifications of these findings sparked all sorts of self-serving responses from different sectors of society — everything from fast-food industry ad campaigns aimed at clearing a bad reputation for contributing to obesity, to articles lampooning overzealous health nuts.

A closer look: How do we sort through this kind of information and find the most healthful path? The real crux of the matter is, what is normal, what is overweight, and what is obese? There is a long-standing debate about the definition of these terms. The body mass index, (BMI,) is a weight-to-height formula that has been the predominant model for defining weight issues. Some studies suggest that the range that is labeled today as normal in the BMI may be questionable.

If the findings of the JAMA study is correct, fewer Americans are succumbing to diseases that are attributable to obesity. Another study cited in the JAMA found that Americans, especially those who are overweight or obese, are at a much lower risk for cardiovascular disease than they were in the past. This could be simply a result of the new medications available for lowering blood pressure and controlling cholesterol. Better diet and much lower smoking rates could also be a big factor in the reduced numbers.

What the study didn’t say: Although headlines about this subject may make people think it’s not so bad to carry extra pounds, there are some things to consider before giving up the fight. There is no question that obesity increases the likelihood of strokes, heart attacks and other diseases. Diabetes is on the rise. The confusion increases when you consider that the study in question didn’t address the lifestyle impairment that obese individuals experience and the cost of medical treatment for their illnesses.

Where do we go from here? Although difficult to sort out, it’s clear that we still don’t know for certain how many people die each year of obesity. It’s a pretty sure bet though, that if you have borderline high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, or a family history of premature heart disease, it is very beneficial to lose weight, exercise regularly, and stop smoking.

Want to know more about BMI? Go to http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi and they will compute your BMI for you. Use of the BMI may still be somewhat arguable for research purposes, but they can be a ballpark indicator of where you’re headed with your weight. At least you can make a more educated choice about what goals to set on diet, health and fitness planning.