One of the most heated issues in today’s health community is whether it is possible to be overweight and healthy.
This subject – also referred to as “big but fit” – has piqued the interest of medical professionals for decades, resulting in a slew of studies supporting and refuting the theory.
The question is whether a physically active overweight or obese individual may still be deemed metabolically healthy, meaning that their blood pressure, cholesterol, and insulin levels are all within normal ranges.
As a health practitioner and an authority on obesity, my response to this issue frequently astounds people: I believe it is possible to be overweight and healthy-
- There is a skewed relationship between weight and health.
While being overweight raises one’s risk of a variety of health problems, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and various malignancies, numerous studies have found that a person’s illness risk is associated to body fat distribution rather than weight.
While BMI calculators are useful for estimating body fat, the BMI isn’t a reliable indicator of health since it doesn’t explain how fat is distributed throughout the body.
- Weight and fitness are not inextricably linked.
We’ve been socialized to believe that being overweight is synonymous with being unfit. However, it is inactivity, not weight, that has the greatest influence on our fitness levels.
Exercise testing has been utilized in a number of studies to indicate that some overweight and obese adults have high levels of cardiovascular fitness and strength. What’s the difference? These folks were physically active on a regular basis.
No matter how much you weigh, regular exercise will enhance your fitness. Unfortunately, more than half of Australians do not get the recommended 30 minutes of exercise five days a week to keep fit and alive, much alone assist them control their weight.
- Your way of life is more essential than your weight.
It may seem self-evident, but it is our healthy behaviors, not our weight, that keep us healthy.
While it is critical to recognize and manage the link between our weight and our health, we must also keep in mind that other factors play a role in maintaining good health. Getting enough exercise, eating a healthy and balanced diet, lowering stress, and increasing our sleep quality are among the most important.
