Body Size or Exercise: Which Matters Most?

ivykivy

Body Size or Exercise: Which Matters Most?
http://www.realage.com/WorkOutCenter/Articles.aspx?aid=10290

The answer may put you on the path to a more active life
Given the choice between being slim despite the fact that you never exercise or being overweight despite the fact that you work out all the time, which would you choose?

If you chose slim and no exercise, would it surprise you to know that your health could ultimately be worse than if you'd chosen to be overweight but exercise regularly?

It may be true. Studies suggest that people who are physically active and overweight have lower rates of cardiovascular disease and mortality than people who are inactive and thin. So whether you're slender or voluptuous, big and tall or thin and small, making physical activity a regular part of your life is vital to improving your health and making your RealAge younger.

Weighing In on Health
That's not to say that size doesn't matter at all. The health risks associated with obesity are well documented: increased risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, cardiovascular disease, and some types of cancer. But what you don't hear very often is that you can reduce these risks by being physically active, even if you don't lose weight.

The health risks associated with being slightly or moderately overweight are less clear-cut. Some studies suggest that being moderately overweight is not linked with an increased risk in mortality, particularly among people who are physically fit. And some researchers are advocating a change in the current categories of overweight.

One reason is that some standard weight and size measurements, such as body mass index (BMI), are not accurate predictors of health risks. BMI, for example, doesn't distinguish between fat and muscle, and it doesn't measure visceral fat -- the fat surrounding abdominal organs. Visceral abdominal fat is a significant risk factor for heart disease and metabolic syndrome. So some people with a healthy BMI who carry their weight around their middle may actually be less healthy than people labeled overweight who have better fat distribution.


Bottom line: No matter what your size or your BMI, being inactive increases your risk of heart disease, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes.

Start with This Goal
To improve your health, aim for 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity most days of the week to help improve your cardiorespiratory fitness. Thirty minutes 4 or 5 days a week might seem like a lot, especially if you haven't been active in a while or you lead a hectic life. But you'll be adding years of good health to your life if you can get yourself to do this on a regular basis.

That's the tricky part, of course: being physically active on a regular basis. Most people are not as active as they should be, and we're all likely to experience times when exercise falls by the wayside. We have our reasons for falling short, but we can overcome these obstacles with the right approach.

So what's stopping you from being consistently active? Take this interactive quiz to determine what your biggest barrier to fitness is and what you can do to overcome it and start reaping the rewards of exercise.

Active Advantage
If you can overcome the obstacles that leave your active wear gathering dust, regular physical activity provides an impressive array of health benefits, regardless of your size. Thirty minutes of moderate activity each day (or at least 4–5 days a week) can help to:

• Reduce high blood pressure
• Prevent heart disease
• Reduce risk of stroke
• Lower cholesterol levels
• Reduce total and visceral fat
• Improve cardiovascular function
• Prevent osteoporosis
• Reduce risk of colon cancer
• Reduce risk of developing type 2 diabetes and improve health outcomes for those with diabetes
• Reduce risk of depression, elevate mood
• Support restful sleep
• Reduce tension and increase energy

Weight Not, Want Not

"But I want to lose weight."

If you want to lose weight while you're getting healthier and more fit, you may need to increase the amount or intensity of your activities. For example, if you don't see results after a month or two of 30 minutes of moderate activity 5 days a week, spend more time exercising, or try adding a few more vigorous activities to your life without reducing the time you spend being active.

Whether you hit the gym, hit the road, or sneak in a few minutes of Frisbee each weekend, try not to focus on losing weight. It's more important to your health and well-being for you to be active than to stress too much about your size. In fact, research suggests that people who are overweight today are healthier than most normal-weight people were a generation ago.

To be sure, weight loss is a smart goal if your weight is hurting your health. If you're obese, even if you have no signs of poor health now, research suggests you may be at high risk of developing diabetes and heart disease in later life.

Regardless of your size, however, by working with your body instead of against it to incorporate physical activity into your everyday life, you're improving your health and making your RealAge younger. Before long you'll feel healthier, look healthier, and be healthier.

ivykivy

Body Size or Exercise: Which Matters Most?
http://www.realage.com/WorkOutCenter/Articles.aspx?aid=10290

The answer may put you on the path to a more active life
Given the choice between being slim despite the fact that you never exercise or being overweight despite the fact that you work out all the time, which would you choose?

If you chose slim and no exercise, would it surprise you to know that your health could ultimately be worse than if you'd chosen to be overweight but exercise regularly?

It may be true. Studies suggest that people who are physically active and overweight have lower rates of cardiovascular disease and mortality than people who are inactive and thin. So whether you're slender or voluptuous, big and tall or thin and small, making physical activity a regular part of your life is vital to improving your health and making your RealAge younger.

Weighing In on Health
That's not to say that size doesn't matter at all. The health risks associated with obesity are well documented: increased risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, cardiovascular disease, and some types of cancer. But what you don't hear very often is that you can reduce these risks by being physically active, even if you don't lose weight.

The health risks associated with being slightly or moderately overweight are less clear-cut. Some studies suggest that being moderately overweight is not linked with an increased risk in mortality, particularly among people who are physically fit. And some researchers are advocating a change in the current categories of overweight.

One reason is that some standard weight and size measurements, such as body mass index (BMI), are not accurate predictors of health risks. BMI, for example, doesn't distinguish between fat and muscle, and it doesn't measure visceral fat -- the fat surrounding abdominal organs. Visceral abdominal fat is a significant risk factor for heart disease and metabolic syndrome. So some people with a healthy BMI who carry their weight around their middle may actually be less healthy than people labeled overweight who have better fat distribution.


Bottom line: No matter what your size or your BMI, being inactive increases your risk of heart disease, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes.

Start with This Goal
To improve your health, aim for 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity most days of the week to help improve your cardiorespiratory fitness. Thirty minutes 4 or 5 days a week might seem like a lot, especially if you haven't been active in a while or you lead a hectic life. But you'll be adding years of good health to your life if you can get yourself to do this on a regular basis.

That's the tricky part, of course: being physically active on a regular basis. Most people are not as active as they should be, and we're all likely to experience times when exercise falls by the wayside. We have our reasons for falling short, but we can overcome these obstacles with the right approach.

So what's stopping you from being consistently active? Take this interactive quiz to determine what your biggest barrier to fitness is and what you can do to overcome it and start reaping the rewards of exercise.

Active Advantage
If you can overcome the obstacles that leave your active wear gathering dust, regular physical activity provides an impressive array of health benefits, regardless of your size. Thirty minutes of moderate activity each day (or at least 4–5 days a week) can help to:

• Reduce high blood pressure
• Prevent heart disease
• Reduce risk of stroke
• Lower cholesterol levels
• Reduce total and visceral fat
• Improve cardiovascular function
• Prevent osteoporosis
• Reduce risk of colon cancer
• Reduce risk of developing type 2 diabetes and improve health outcomes for those with diabetes
• Reduce risk of depression, elevate mood
• Support restful sleep
• Reduce tension and increase energy

Weight Not, Want Not

"But I want to lose weight."

If you want to lose weight while you're getting healthier and more fit, you may need to increase the amount or intensity of your activities. For example, if you don't see results after a month or two of 30 minutes of moderate activity 5 days a week, spend more time exercising, or try adding a few more vigorous activities to your life without reducing the time you spend being active.

Whether you hit the gym, hit the road, or sneak in a few minutes of Frisbee each weekend, try not to focus on losing weight. It's more important to your health and well-being for you to be active than to stress too much about your size. In fact, research suggests that people who are overweight today are healthier than most normal-weight people were a generation ago.

To be sure, weight loss is a smart goal if your weight is hurting your health. If you're obese, even if you have no signs of poor health now, research suggests you may be at high risk of developing diabetes and heart disease in later life.

Regardless of your size, however, by working with your body instead of against it to incorporate physical activity into your everyday life, you're improving your health and making your RealAge younger. Before long you'll feel healthier, look healthier, and be healthier.

stephiepoo

Awesome info, thanks.