Interesting - this (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/24/health/research/24fat.html...) recent NYTimes article reported on a new hypothesis that obesity may have offered an evolutionary advantage against tuberculosis, by "revving up" the immune system. I'm not sure about swine flu, but I recall that avian flu kills by forcing the immune system into overdrive (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cytokine_storm), killing the host. Is this a possible mechanism? Anyone know more about influenza or the immune system?

Ahhh, up until now I hadn't made the pig / flu connection.

"So far, the evidence is anecdotal. No global or national data have been reported." In other words: There is NO evidence that there is a connection between obesity and swine flu. Like it's more deadly cousin, the seasonal flu (thousands of people die every year of it) the hyped swine flu "pandemic" is more severe and dangerous for people who are weaker. Carrying too much weight around makes you weaker obviously like other illnesses, being a child or elderly.

I hope Roche has soon sold out their Tamiflu so all the "viral marketing" stops.

Some evidence that being obese can actually help you survive some illnesses: http://junkfoodscience.blogspot.com/2006/12/obesity-paradox-...

Want to get research funding or get published? Pander to widely held public beliefs/fears.

> Fat cells secrete chemicals that cause chronic, low-level inflammation that can hamper the body’s immune response and narrow the airways, says Tim Armstrong, a doctor working in the WHO’s chronic diseases department in Geneva.

If that's true, it's pretty crazy and a much better reason for people to worry about their weight than blood pressure/heart conditions (loose link), joint problems (seems too distant), or vanity (not a great motivator, clearly). I've read lots on the topic and never heard this.