"Fat and fit" as healthy as being normal weight
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My emphasis.I've always found it interesting that I get sick far less frequently, and generally return to health faster, than many of my thinner, but less active, friends, and have always had much better metabolic stats than the majority, despite being heavier. Thanks for posting, both OP and the person who posted the abstract - a most interesting study that confirms what I, and many non-establishment medical scientists have suspected for years.
I think a lot of it is because of being heavier. I put far more stress on my cardiovasular system doing the same 5K run at the same speed as a slimmer individual, resulting in a stronger heart and lungs, lower resting heart rate and lower blood pressure.
It's the equivalent of "lifting heavy" for cardio!
Makes sense to me! :flowerforyou:0 -
No one should settle for being overweight no matter how active they are.
Have you ever been morbidly obese? I'd love to be considered overweight. Actually, based on BMI, if I lost 200 lbs total, I think I'd still qualify as overweight. Weight loss and maintenance is a tricky thing and being fit should be a goal but individual weight should be left to the individual.0 -
I would like to know what the statistic is for those who are obese in their younger years, stay obese into their middle years, and are still obese as a senior. I believe it could be that as the added stress on the heart and lungs causes deterioration over time. It could be that it doesn't. However, I think the average obese person is not fit and does not exercise regularly. The danger from this research study is that those people will use the results of this study to justify not losing weight at the same time they do not do anything to become fit.0
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Bodyfat is a true measure of health and fitness!!!
Rubbish!
I have just cycled 40 miles in 3.5 hours and I have a BMI in the obese range.
I have low blood pressure, low cholesterol and yet according to you Im unhealthy and unfit.
Might want to think about your comments there, Mr Motivation.
I think person is talking about bodyfat percent not bmi.
.. and my body fat is high too.
I am overweight. I have too much fat. But I am fit and very healthy.0 -
Athletes have MUSCLE & not fat fat so there is where their BMI is showing as overweight. They are NOT however because it is MUSCLE & not FAT. Sorry but there is a difference. Being overweight or obese WILL put you at risk for Diabetes. Sorry but it's true..
There are skinny people who get diabetes. The link between diet and diabetes is stronger than obesity and diabetes.0 -
From the BBC News today:
Amy Thompson, of the British Heart Foundation, said: "In the majority of cases, obesity is an undeniable risk factor for developing coronary heart disease. However, these studies remind us that it is not always your weight that's important, but where you carry fat and also how it affects your health and fitness.
In the majority of cases ... undeniable risk....
I think a lot of us would like to think we are or can be the exception, but in the MAJORITY of cases, we aren't. Was there any mention of specific weight in the study? Are they talking about an extra 20 pounds? Or 50. Does this theory still hold true at 100 pounds overweight?
What about weight as an indicator of future health problems? The fat 25 year old may be ok. For now. But if he carries that weight until he's 50, isn't he at higher risk for developing weight related health issues?
I think I'll work on being a *healthy* weight anyway, instead of *just* working till I'm fit-fat. And not just for vanity.0 -
I would like to know what the statistic is for those who are obese in their younger years, stay obese into their middle years, and are still obese as a senior. I believe it could be that as the added stress on the heart and lungs causes deterioration over time. It could be that it doesn't. However, I think the average obese person is not fit and does not exercise regularly. The danger from this research study is that those people will use the results of this study to justify not losing weight at the same time they do not do anything to become fit.
I'm someone who was obese from a young age and the difference I've noticed from my counterparts and myself is that I learned to be active despite my obesity, many of them became obese in part due to their inactivity. I'm not sure where my heart will be 30 years from now but we'll see.0 -
Since 50% did have problems, you're betting 50/50 that it's ok to be overweight? That's far too high of a risk for me. It sounds like some of you will use this article to rationalize where you are.0
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I've always found it interesting that I get sick far less frequently, and generally return to health faster, than many of my thinner, but less active, friends, and have always had much better metabolic stats than the majority, despite being heavier. Thanks for posting, both OP and the person who posted the abstract - a most interesting study that confirms what I, and many non-establishment medical scientists have suspected for years.
I do NOT get sick.. The last time I was 'under the weather' it was food poisoning and that's not really something one can control. I rarely have sniffles or coughs either and the last time I was off work it was because I had my tubes tied and in the hospital. I honestly find that thinner "skinny-fat" people around me take more time off work due to health issues than I ever have.And you know what if someone is a bit overweight, but fit and healthy (ie no heart problems, high blood pressure or cholesterol) and they are happy with the way they look, then why should they not settle for being happy the way they are? We don't HAVE to all conform to the way the media and society tells us we "should" look. But we do have a responsibility to keep ourselves as healthy as we can be, and I agree that we should want to do that for ourselves, our families, and so we do not drain the health services unnecessarily.
I have been over 200lbs for the better part of my adult life ..not muscle. My BMI is somewhere in the 31 - 35 range. I have never had high cholesterol, I do not have diabetes or insulin resistance, my resting heart rate is 68. I am in better health than 90% of women my size / age and probably more active than a lot of smaller women too. I didn't hate my body. I was a happy fat girl, no stress, I have a good man who loves me regardless of my size and a decent life. I wasn't feeling overly limited by my weight. I would go and hike weekends and have long walks with my boyfriend. My ONLY reason for wanting to drop weight is because I was starting to feel some joint pain - after 15 - 20 years - and it could very well have been just age related.
It pisses me off that people seem to have this idea that we all have to look, act or think a certain way according to what the media says. I am my own person and will continue to do things because I want to and not because someone else says I have to.0 -
Athletes have MUSCLE & not fat fat so there is where their BMI is showing as overweight. They are NOT however because it is MUSCLE & not FAT. Sorry but there is a difference. Being overweight or obese WILL put you at risk for Diabetes. Sorry but it's true..
There are skinny people who get diabetes. The link between diet and diabetes is stronger than obesity and diabetes.
You're right that it has a lot to do with diet.... It stands to reason that overweight people are at higher risk just bc of the fact most fat people have poor diets. Maybe not the fat people using MFP.... But in general, yes, most fat people have poor diets. That's how we got fat.0 -
I have always said "I'm a healthy fat girl!"...my triglecerides, cholesterol, blood sugars and blood pressure are always good-I'm just over weight!!!0
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There is no good reason to be fat, whether you're still healthy or not. Do your body and your bones/joints a favour and continue to lose the weight! I can't help but feel that these articles just give people with too many excuses one more excuse.
Well said0 -
But not where we want to be.Since 50% did have problems, you're betting 50/50 that it's ok to be overweight? That's far too high of a risk for me. It sounds like some of you will use this article to rationalize where you are.
If we were all to rationalise where we are, then I would lay the blame firmly at my parent's door for not having any money and feeding me high fat, high cholesterol, high taste food. And for teaching me that the tastes of these food was beautiful.
But seeing as I am not, Im just going to say that
If(Exercise calories > Food calories) then weight loss
If not, then weight gain.
That's all the rationale I use, and I use my fitness to lose my weight. Not because its going to make me healthier, but because of vanity, and we all rationalise that skinny is healthier than heavier.
This article proves in some cases, it simply isnt true.0 -
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I heard that years ago that where you carry your fat determines factors. I know that I will never be the be size it says for me for my height, I would look sickly. My goal is to get lower on the BMI scale. My pcp always tell me that it's about getting healthy to the point where I can get off my high blood pressure meds and my sleep apnea machine and that will take eating healthier and exercise. Exercise and lowering your caloric intake is the key. Plus, it all depends on what their version of being healthy is...it may be different from what you consider being healthy.0
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I absolutely know people who are considered overweight and some who fall in the obese category who can outrun / last me in any physical challenge. They have "healthy" cholesterol, blood pressure , etc.
However, they are all struggling with their food addictions and want to lose weight. The good news is that their current health allows them to continue to exercise and get the excess pounds off so they don't tempt faith.
This report tells me not to judge someone by any excess weight they carry other than be supportive.0 -
Sorry BBC but in the USA I use the Body Mass Index and my goal is to be fit and trim.
Bodyfat is a true measure of health and fitness!!!
No one should settle for being overweight no matter how active they are.
BMI doesn't account for bodyfat measurement at all.
And bodyfat isn't the measure of fitness.......I've had a low bodyfat without being exceptionally fit, it's called nutrition.0 -
Trying to form a link between you being fat and never sick and skinnier people being sick all the time is idiotic. Fat or skinny doesn't determine how efficient your immune system is. I'm rarely sick when I'm fat, and when I was at my goal weight last year, I wasn't any sicker. I've never had a flu shot and had the flu 2-3 times in my life and I work with the general public every day.I've always found it interesting that I get sick far less frequently, and generally return to health faster, than many of my thinner, but less active, friends, and have always had much better metabolic stats than the majority, despite being heavier. Thanks for posting, both OP and the person who posted the abstract - a most interesting study that confirms what I, and many non-establishment medical scientists have suspected for years.
I do NOT get sick.. The last time I was 'under the weather' it was food poisoning and that's not really something one can control. I rarely have sniffles or coughs either and the last time I was off work it was because I had my tubes tied and in the hospital. I honestly find that thinner "skinny-fat" people around me take more time off work due to health issues than I ever have.And you know what if someone is a bit overweight, but fit and healthy (ie no heart problems, high blood pressure or cholesterol) and they are happy with the way they look, then why should they not settle for being happy the way they are? We don't HAVE to all conform to the way the media and society tells us we "should" look. But we do have a responsibility to keep ourselves as healthy as we can be, and I agree that we should want to do that for ourselves, our families, and so we do not drain the health services unnecessarily.
I have been over 200lbs for the better part of my adult life ..not muscle. My BMI is somewhere in the 31 - 35 range. I have never had high cholesterol, I do not have diabetes or insulin resistance, my resting heart rate is 68. I am in better health than 90% of women my size / age and probably more active than a lot of smaller women too. I didn't hate my body. I was a happy fat girl, no stress, I have a good man who loves me regardless of my size and a decent life. I wasn't feeling overly limited by my weight. I would go and hike weekends and have long walks with my boyfriend. My ONLY reason for wanting to drop weight is because I was starting to feel some joint pain - after 15 - 20 years - and it could very well have been just age related.
It pisses me off that people seem to have this idea that we all have to look, act or think a certain way according to what the media says. I am my own person and will continue to do things because I want to and not because someone else says I have to.
Good immune system =/= being fat or trim.0 -
Fit or not, extra body fat is only going to slow you down during the zombie apocalypse. I don't want any extra baggage when I am being chased by the hoard of zombies.0
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**Not using this article as justification to stay heavy though!
But sadly, many people out there will.0 -
Fit or not, extra body fat is only going to slow you down during the zombie apocalypse. I don't want any extra baggage when I am being chased by the hoard of zombies.
extra fat would also help sustain life longer in the event that you have to go without food..........that's the essential reason why our body stores it.0 -
Chirping in with the BMI = healthy is nonsense. You can have a low BMI and be a walking study in unhealthy habits and conditions.
The only place where low BMI really matters is on internet dating sites and on the cover of magazines where normal people get to compare themselves and hate themselves for not looking like what's on the cover.0 -
im 5 foot 2 and 145 lbs so I am overweight I did a fitness test last week at my gym and am of above average fitness for my age I workout 5 mornings a week so I suppose thats not too bad my resting pulse is 62 I think this is ok Im 44! Im working on my weight all the time I was 168 lbs in April this year and would like to get to 136 lbs that would suit my frame well although the charts would still class that as overweight,I got to 9 stone years ago with unislim and I looked gaunt so I dont need to go there.Its an on going process!0
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Trying to form a link between you being fat and never sick and skinnier people being sick all the time is idiotic. Fat or skinny doesn't determine how efficient your immune system is. I'm rarely sick when I'm fat, and when I was at my goal weight last year, I wasn't any sicker. I've never had a flu shot and had the flu 2-3 times in my life and I work with the general public every day.
Good immune system =/= being fat or trim.
Good immune system = HEALTHY..which is where I was going with that point
That too many people think just because you are thin must mean you are healthy and if you are overweight you must not be - which is not the case. Sorry if it came across sounding a different way than what I meant 
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When I was obese I made excuses for my weight, truth was I was just lazy & ate wrong. Now that I am JUST overweight...and I mean JUST... like on the border of normal & overweight.... I know I was just lazy & ate wrong. What is the REAL problem is that people make an excuse & refuse to believe anything else, and when an article like this comes along it means they KNEW they were right...even if it's just another excuse.
What's your excuse for being fat? There is NO excuse.... none at all. Been there, done that.0 -
It sounds like some of you will use this article to rationalize where you are.
To a certain extent, it shows that being fit and doing physical activity counts whatever size you are, so even if you are still overweight and you are fit or have taken up exercise, you can reap health benefits. For some people, that is encouragement and motivation to keep going, and perhaps further weight loss will become incidental. So I'd rather people did use it to rationalize where they are than do nothing or get demotivated and quit because the weight isn't coming off and they're not getting skinny like the magazine models or whatever.
I'm not overweight any more, I have normal BMI and body fat and whatever else. But when I was overweight, my first motivation for weight loss was fitness, being able to participate fully in the sports I want to do, and working towards my first triathlon. That did not only motivate me to sort my diet out, but it also motivated me to stop smoking cannabis, cut back my alcohol intake, and make lifestyle changes like getting enough sleep so I have the energy to do things.
Those things have resulted in weight loss, but they have also resulted in far more positive changes to my life than the number on the scale going down. So it's not everything.0 -
I suspect a far smaller percentage of overweight but truly fit people will use this research to rationalise where they are than normal or underweight people currently justify staying inactive because they "don't need to exercise".It sounds like some of you will use this article to rationalize where you are.0 -
Come the zombie apocalypse, I don't need to be fast. I just have to be faster than the person next to me.Fit or not, extra body fat is only going to slow you down during the zombie apocalypse. I don't want any extra baggage when I am being chased by the hoard of zombies.0 -
Come the zombie apocalypse, I don't need to be fast. I just have to be faster than the person next to me.Fit or not, extra body fat is only going to slow you down during the zombie apocalypse. I don't want any extra baggage when I am being chased by the hoard of zombies.
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:0 -
Is it possible to see this article as an encouragement to go on exercising ? Instead of justifying : I am overweight but I move so it's OK or Bouhou she is skinny but skinny-fat ?:grumble:
the posts on the zombie apocalypse must go on , they are hilarious :bigsmile:
I was (still am) overweight, I wasn't fit at all (I am getting better)...That article just motivates me to move my booty ! That's it that 's all0
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