Discussion: I'm pretty overweight. The GP told me that lean people are healthier. I'm not convinced he's right?

Let's get some order in what your doctor probably tried to explain. The conclusion is that it is difficult to draw unequivocal conclusions! Those who are significantly overweight over time about them there is no doubt - they are not healthy. (Although this is usually a reversible situation)

Healthy people usually maintain the optimal weight for their body structure. (They are not necessarily thin) Obese people are typically unhealthy as they are overweight due to unhealthy lifestyles and poor diets. Moderate overweight, for their age (a large part of the population), is not necessarily healthy but not necessarily sicker than others. Thin people are also not necessarily healthier than slightly overweight people. Aside from heredity, good health is a combined result of lifestyle, environment, and nutrition.