"Once you are in your 70s, 80s or 90s, or if you have chronic disease like heart failure, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic lung and kidney disease, a larger body size gives you longevity, " he said.

CNN: Thin is in, but fat might be better

We now know the SNPs for cancer of the breast, prostate and lung as well as for obesity, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular disease, deep-vein thrombosis, schizophrenia and countless more.

ECONOMIST: Peering into your medical future is risky