Importance of electrode position in bioelectrical impedance analysis.

analyses. Contrary to Abernathy's assertion, smoking is quite unlikely to account for the increased mortality in heavier people because in virtually all studies heavier people have smoked less than thin people. Although Abemathy would prefer to discard height and weight tables, the excess mortality,and morbidity associated.with overweight is not eliminated just by dismissing the tables. We concur that long-term weight loss for obese people is seldom achieved. This is all the more reason to have clear and sound weight guidelines that can be used as a criteria for avoiding weight gains as we age. Clearly, the focus must be primarily on prevention of weight gain rather than on treatment after it has already occurred.