Being overweight is often associated with poor health, but a new study led by Siddhartha Angadi, an associate professor at the University of Virginia, suggests that this may not always be the case.
According to the research, it is possible to be both overweight and fit, challenging the conventional belief that weight alone determines fitness. In fact, the study indicates that the real health risk might come from being lean yet physically unfit.
The study focused on the impact of physical fitness, rather than just body weight, on mortality risk. It found that individuals who are obese but physically fit have a similar risk of death as those with a normal weight. The key factor in determining health outcomes is not body size, but physical fitness levels. People who are unfit, regardless of their weight, face a higher risk of death from heart diseases and other causes.
In the study, which analysed the health data of nearly 400,000 individuals, it was revealed that cardiovascular fitness can offset the risks associated with being overweight or obese. Angadi emphasized that fitness plays a much more significant role in mortality risk than body fat.
“Fitness, it turns out, is far more important than fatness when it comes to mortality risk.” he stated.
The findings underscore the importance of regular exercise in maintaining health. Angadi pointed out that exercise isn’t just for burning calories; it’s crucial for improving cardiovascular health and reducing the risk of life-threatening diseases.
He stressed that a sedentary lifestyle is one of the greatest risks to health, and incorporating even moderate exercise, like brisk walking for 30 minutes a day, can have significant benefits for overall fitness and well-being.
