Flaws in Catherine Flegel's Study

Walter Willett criticizes Catherine Flegel's study, stating that her normal weight group includes individuals who are lean and active, heavy smokers, frail and elderly, or seriously ill with weight loss due to disease. He also argues that her sample includes historically undernourished Asian populations burdened by infectious diseases. Willett claims that Flegel's work is flawed, misleading, and could confuse the public and doctors. He suggests that her findings could be used by powerful special interest groups, such as soft drink and food lobbies, to influence policy makers. Willett warns that accepting her research could encourage weight gain and a decline in public health.