Fitness Versus Fatness - 5 facts prove you have it all wrong...

I’d like to weigh in on the topic of the “fit vs. fat” argument with you today. Amidst the rally cries and body shaming comments over Prince Fielder’s (Texas Rangers First Baseman) appearance in ESPN The Body week, I’d like to say kudos Mr. Fielder for the confidence to bear all in front of such a callous audience. As Americans, we are socialized to associate thinness with healthiness. It has also become public policy to discriminate against fat people. Show a healthy lipid profile, great blood pressure, and an excellent physical to a health insurance company (but report a BMI of 30), and see what happens to your rates…

I am no fat activist, and have never been overweight, but I am here to tell you that this theory of thinness=health has been disproven time and time again. I do not have to walk in the shoes of those facing discrimination to show physiologically that this is wrong. In actuality, epidemiologists are finding that not only is the human race getting fatter, but that more individuals than you would imagine are perfectly healthy at their “overweight” status. Some are even healthier than thin individuals.

Fitness Versus Fatness

The first major fatness versus fitness study was conducted by researchers at the Cooper Institute, a nonprofit organization in Dallas that promotes fitness. In a study of 22,000 men, ages 30–83, the researchers measured subjects’ body composition (the proportion of fat to muscle) and put them through treadmill tests. During eight years of follow-up, men who were overweight but fit were two times less likely to have died than men who were lean but not fit. Moreover, the all-cause mortality rate of fit, overweight men wasn’t significantly different from that of the fit, lean men. Their heretical conclusion: If you’re fit, being overweight doesn’t increase mortality risk.

Genetic Predisposition

How is it possible to be both fat and fit? Quite simply. You may be genetically predisposed to be stockier, much like Mr. Fielder, but you exercise and regularly eat healthy. A Norfolk study done in 2010 observed 20,000 overweight individuals (BMI 25+). The study looked at 3 groups, regular exercisers and non-exercisers as well as individuals with a healthy BMI. Both groups were given the same meal plan guidelines. Of the exercisers, only 10% lost enough weight to be down in the normal BMI category. Of the remaining 90%, the average drop in health risks was 40%. So basically these folks did not lose weight, but benefitted by having a 40% drop in disease related health risks. Here’s the kicker! At the end of the study, the exercisers were 62% fitter (based on treadmill fitness tests) than the 3rd group- Healthy BMI’s.

Fatness doesn’t always equal unhealthiness

A 2012 study from the National Cancer Institute found that moderately obese people actually lived about 3.1 years longer than normal-weight women and men. Another study, published in the European Heart Journal, showed that when obese people are metabolically healthy -- which means their blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and other indicators fall within a healthy range -- they are at no greater risk of dying from heart disease or cancer than those who are of normal weight. And remember the study I mentioned from the Cooper Institute? Their follow-up has shown that the death rate for women and men who are thin but unfit is at least twice as high as their obese counterparts who are fit. Many people classified as obese by current standards actually have a good health profile. We see that as many as 40% of obese individuals have normal cholesterol and blood pressure, do not smoke and are physically fit. Anyone who struggles with his or her weight should take this as good news.

Fitness does equal longevity

Regardless of if you are fat or thin, the bottom line is that “fitness” is the key to longevity. Stop seeking thinness at the level of fitness models, and begin seeking longevity. Those models are at 1-2% body fat (very unhealthy levels that cannot be sustained for more than weeks at a time healthily) at the time of the photo shoot (and are still photo shopped as well)

Fitness Defined

Being fit, in my humble definition, does not require high-level athletic training or seeing your abs. It means meeting the consensus public recommendation of a cumulative 30 minutes of moderate intensity daily activity, such as walking. Doing more brings additional health benefits.

My recommendation is to focus on good healthy eating habits, no matter what number you see on the scale. Give berries, all veggies, and high protein sources a major place in your daily diet. Be moderate about fats and alcohol consumption. Don’t smoke. Work on managing your stress. Perhaps most important, get out of your chair and start moving for at least 30 minutes every day.

FROM THE AUTHOR:

I hope that you find the information in my articles informative

and helpful!

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Jess Williams BS NASM CPT CES PES

President CPT Fitness

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