A new study led by Siddhartha Angadi, an associate professor at the University of Virginia, challenges the conventional belief that being overweight is inherently linked to poor health. The research suggests that it is possible to be overweight yet physically fit, while the true health risk may actually stem from being lean but physically unfit.
The study focused on how physical fitness, rather than body weight, impacts mortality risk. It found that individuals who are obese but fit have a similar risk of death as those with a normal weight. The critical factor determining health outcomes was not body size but physical fitness levels. Those who are unfit, regardless of their weight, face a higher risk of death, particularly from heart disease and other health issues.
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Analyzing health data from nearly 400,000 people, the study revealed that cardiovascular fitness can offset the risks associated with being overweight or obese. Angadi emphasized, “Fitness, it turns out, is far more important than fatness when it comes to mortality risk.”
The findings highlight the importance of regular physical activity, not just for weight management, but for improving cardiovascular health and reducing the risks of life-threatening diseases. Angadi stressed that a sedentary lifestyle is a major health risk and that even moderate exercise, such as 30 minutes of brisk walking per day, can significantly improve fitness and overall well-being.
