Canadian research team have found evidence to support the idea that being mildly overweight may help with longevity. The study, which followed the mortality of 11,326 adults in Canada over a period of 12 years, found that overweight individuals were 17% less likely to die as opposed to underweight and obese individuals who had higher rates of mortality.

The study took into account body mass index as a measure of obesity and found that underweight individuals were 70% more likely to die, and the obese 36% more likely to die.

The study was compiled by Statistics Canada, Kaiser Permanente Centre for Health Research, Portland State University, Oregon Health & Science University, and McGill University.

David Feeny from the Kaiser Permanente Centre for Health Research said:

"It's not surprising that extreme underweight and extreme obesity increase the risk of dying, but it is surprising that carrying a little extra weight may give people a longevity advantage."

Feeny and colleagues warned against packing on the pounds though (as if!), as the risks associated with obesity including high cholesterol and cardiovascular problems can seriously decrease a person's quality of life.

This is not the only study to be conducted in the area, as in 2005 researchers from the American Centres for Disease Control published similar findings in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Surveys from the 1970's, 80's and 90's were studied to find a link between BMI and mortality. According to the report, the people who lived longest of all were those with a BMI of between 25 and 30, which represents people who are moderately overweight but not obese.