Does Being Thin = Healthy?
We often assume that thin people are automatically healthier than overweight people, but a recent AP article questions this notion. Research involving the MRI scans of over 800 people has shown that many people who appear “thin” are actually storing large amounts of internal body fat around many of their vital organs.
This internal body fat may put the unsuspecting individuals at higher risk for insulin resistance, Type 2 Diabetes and heart disease. According to researcher, Dr. Jimmy Bell, even if a man or woman had healthy Body Mass Index levels, there was almost a 50% chance that they may have high levels of internal body fat.
So what was the common association among all the thin people with high internal body fat?
They maintained their bodyweight strictly through diet alone without exercise.
We already know that exercise improves insulin resistance, cardiac performance and increases muscle mass, but now we can add to the list that exercise helps burn both external and internal body fat.
The article goes on to cite that “normal-weight persons who are sedentary and unfit are at much higher risk for mortality than obese persons who are active and fit.”
One thing the article does not mention is what type of exercise is best for lowering internal body fat? My suggestion would be a combination of both resistance training and cardiovascular exercise to build both muscle mass and improve heart health.
Whatever exercise you choose; just remember the healthiest way to lose weight will always be a combination of both proper diet and exercise.
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Just another example of what is slowly surfacing as an assertion: Obvious weight is not usually an indicator of health - despite what interests groups and society are trying to push down our throats (pun not intended).
I don't think this study and its concept is perfect, but it is a start into viewing weight issues in a logical manner instead of approaching them with the hysteria mentality that has unfortunately become the norm.
ReplySalmon-- amen! It has become a hysteria. For proof positive, just read the cruel and grossly generalized comments in "A Fat Rant" posted about a few posts back.
I do wish it could move more into how healthy somebody's lifestyle was rather than how thin somebody was determining how someone is judged in that arena-- unfortunately, people love to look at someone and make snap judgements (I'm sure it was for danger protection once upon a time) and I doubt that will change no matter what science says.
ReplyGreat points from both Salmon and Heather.
When I started eating better and exercising, it was because I wanted to lose weight. At some point along the way, it quit being about fat loss, and it became about getting healthier.
It became more exciting to see my health improve than what the scale said.
:-)
Brian
ReplyIt's interesting that some of these "thin" people may end up endangering their health more than folks who know they need to pay attention to healthy eating and exercise. Instead of building lifelong habits of working out and eating healthy foods in moderation, a lot of them are eating junk food and driving everywhere and sitting on their butts all day. They're going to have to make major adustments later life (or risk the consequences), and may find it even more of a struggle than people who are used to dealing with these issues.
Heh heh heh. (Sorry).
ReplyHooray! A well thought-out article that makes sense with what most people who are heavier and fit already know.
Cocaine can really help you lose those last few pounds, too. I don't know if that's a healthy method, though.
Replyyou are forgiven:) but drugs arn't the answer to losing weight and if you do use it.... it could screw up with your nervous system which is definately!! not a a good thing for your health!! I also do not know why people use diet pills either. Some people think "hey if i use this product it will be much easier and i don't have to worry about eating this or that".. but they are not good for you and once you are off it in no time you are back to your old ways!! Trust me i know a person who took diet pills and ONLY relied on diet pills without really considering eating healthy food or exercising. Eating healthy and exercising are the main keys to being healthy:)So keep it up:)
ReplyI think I'd rather be fat.
ReplySpot on Brian! When I started out I was in the same boat as you. It was all about losing weight quickly. Then it slowly turned into being healthy and in shape, rather than being thin.
And Jarret, that drug example is one I use with my friends who are looking for a quick fix to their weight problem. drugs will sure get you thin, but is that what you really want? Are you looking to be thin at the cost of your health or are you looking to be healthy?
GJ
Replyhttp://www.60in3.com
This study explains why we often hear about why so many thin people die prematurely of heart disease, etc., although it does not explain how so many thin and fit people die prematurely as a result of disease. I always say it may be due to heredity, and possibly toxins from the environment and medications.
ReplyI believe it's a statistics thing where cachetic people cause the average weight to be lower in studies, but it doesn't relate to thin and fit individuals. It's due to these underweight individuals having disease states which increase their morbidity.
ReplyI'd rather be high.
ReplySometimes it takes more than just a proper diet and exercise to lose weight. Often times, losing weight has to start in the mind as a mind block can cause some persons to not lose weight at all even with diet and exercise.
ReplyOh I agree so much with your statement! It takes a happy and healthy attitude to manintain healthy weight! You have to Want to be healthy. Your goal becomes to be "healthy", and along the way you lose the weight! If you go after the situation as "to lose weight" you will get discouraged! But if you set out to start maintining a "healthy Lifestyle" BOOM! It happens! You want to excercise because you know it makes you feel better, and as you are feeling better that weight will fall off!
ReplyI agree. We can't easily tell whether a person is healthy or not unless we know their lifesytle. Sometimes our appearance doesn't reflects our condition, especially if it's inside our body
ReplyMy comment was made with the utmost sarcasm. I apologize if anyone really thought that I would resort to illegal drug use/smoking/forms of speed/etc. to lose weight.
I lost/am losing my weight the old fashion way: diet and exercise.
ReplyI got ya... I think of all my friends from highschool who are now hooked on meth (and awfully skinny!) whenever someone talks about how horribly unhealthy being overweight is.
It's actually sad.. One friend who got hooked on meth, was complimented and hit on a lot at 95 lb (she's 5'3). Now she's off it, eating like a normal 20 year old and starting to exercise... and up to 115 and her sister told me how she's getting "fat"...
Some people really do think thin is more important than health... sadly enough.
ReplyI agree that weight is not a factor in health. There are numerous conditions wherein weight is negligible. We just need to follow the right procedures and guidelines of staying healthy inorder to live a healthy life.
ReplyI'm glad my two lifestyle choices are not limited to "normal weight, sedentary, and unfit" versus "obese, active, and fit." How about normal weight, active, and fit? Yes, that sounds better.
ReplyWell, there you have it. Being too thinny is bad for you. Staying at a healthy weight is important to keep from health issues and every day things in life.
Reply[...] From the Diet blog, we have an article about how thin doesn’t quite equal being healthy. [...]
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