Fit and Fat is Better Than Thin and Unfit

I've always believed this so it doesn't surprise me. I just hope the msm jumps on this like they do anything bashing fat people.

I’ve been reading too much argument that exercise will hinder you from losing weight, which is why some people think it should be dropped all together. I know there is so many other benefits to exercise that have nothing to do with weight loss, but I lose touch with them when motivation is low. This post has encouraged me to continue. Thank you.

Thank you! I had seen a flicker album that showed different people with their weights and BMIs, and frankly it was ridiculous who was considered overweight and obese - yet many of the overweight and even obese people pictures were athletic women who obviously did not have any extra body fat!

BMI is a bogus indicator of health. It should be revamped or trashed.

BTW - I am obese - yet my bloodwork is perfect and I hike long distances regularly. The only thing *wrong* with me is I am overweight!

I haven't read the article in detail yet, but was going to go write about the study's strengths and weaknesses this weekend on my blog because there is a lot to be said about the study. I will, though, post my three biggest concerns here.

1. The study population was only older adults (60+ years), and there were more men than women in the study (4 men to every woman). After my brief review, they don't really detail why this is the case, but my assumption would be that they wanted results sooner and women tend to live longer.

I did a bit of looking into the The Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study and they do collect data on younger people as well, but again, there are more men than women. Disappointing if you ask me because men and women have very different lifestyles, metabolisms, fat deposits, etc.

2. While they collected personal health histories, they did not report any of these results; rather, they focused on participants' current states. I'd be interested to see what type of correlations can be found between mortality and life-long obesity vs. people who've only be obese for five years. Again, it is a longitudinal study, so we just may have to wait for this.

3. Lastly, as the authors even pointed out, the study mainly included people who were white, well-educated, and from middle to upper socioeconomic strata. While I agree with the authors that this reduces confounding, it may very well be different for other groups.

This is true. Since this is "half way there", however, why not "go for the gold"?
Shake off the apathetic, "it's the best I can do or hope for" and tap your inner strengths to be fit, trim, healthy and live it for life!

So. not. surprised.

I'm overweight, but my numbers and health are impeccable.
I exercise a lot (running, cycling, strength training 15-18 hrs a week)

I think studies like this are a waste of money. The truth remains that thin and fit trumps all.

A thin person may not have alot of visceral or subcutaneous fat, but may have arteries lined with cholesterol.

An overweight person may not have poor cardiovascular health but their visceral and subcutaneous fat is leaking poisons into their body.

We should aim for a BMI within normal range and good cardiovascular health. Thin & Fit.

These website has become a spam haven for people advertising their sites and products. You really ought to consider doing something about that. Half these comments are useless.

Who are these fit but fat people? How are they defining fit? I have never seen a fit but fat person. Do you see any fat people competing in sports that require fitness? This is more like fat somewhat active people healthier than lazy skinny weaklings.

How are they defining fat? high BMI or high bf %?

I am considered fat fit I guess. 5'10 190lbs 9%bf

But you can tell I am fit by looking at me, so I don't know what this guy is trying to get at with the last quote.

Dr. Kal said:
I think studies like this are a waste of money. The truth remains that thin and fit trumps all.[...]

I think I've figured it out. Dr Kal is not a dr at all-- but MeMe Roth in disguise......

There have been no studies that have shown that highly active people (I'll define that as over 10 hours of moderately-intense to intense hours of exercise a week) have any higher risk of problems than anyone else. If you have a link to a reputable journal to say otherwise-- (and several links, because one study does not a fact make) -- go right ahead.

I agree... People need to think of health in more terms of longevity etc. and not so much as a sex symbol.

Heather, not everything needs to be studied or proven in a study. There is a room in medicine and science for common sense.

Fat, especially visceral fat, secretes hormones and chemicals that are dangerous to the human body. The less of it you have, the better.

Finally, there is no need to attack me. I am entitled to my opinion.

But here is the thing - why is "visceral fat" suddenly a problem? It only seems to be mentioned as being a problem in people who do starvation diets - not people who eat normally. There was no such thing as a fat thin person in the 70's!

My point is - eat healthy, get some exercise, quit worrying about BMI or visceral fat, have a glass of wine, get together with your friends and family, have hobby and just live your life without obsessing over all this ridiculous stuff. Eat the chocolate cake once in a while!

Common sense is really the thing we all lack the most.

Dr. Kal said:
Heather, not everything needs to be studied or proven in a study. There is a room in medicine and science for common sense. [...]

Sorry for the gut reaction, but in the past belief I had to be a certain size and people saying it was the only way to be healthy -- an unfounded belief, imho-- led me down the path of eating disorders and I'd hate to see others the same way. Your comments here, and in other posts, have been irresponsible in my view without scientific basis.

I exercise 15-20 hours a week, running, bicycling, weight training. I eat healthfully, though counting Calories has been a bad idea as it brings up old habits/views, and sometimes I have to take a step back from trying to lose weight because of that. I am very healthy with 8-12 lb to lose at 5'4, 165 lb, and 26% body fat. 56 resting pulse, 105/56 blood pressure.

I'm here to tell people.. be healthy! Exercise! Eat your vegetables! Stay away from processed foods and transfats. But don't ever-- for a second-- doubt who you are and the idea that you can be wonderful, healthy, and happy at any size if you are doing those things.

Heather said:
But don't ever-- for a second-- doubt who you are and the idea that you can be wonderful, healthy, and happy at any size if you are doing those things.[...]

Yay Heather!

I also caught Dr. Kal stating "BMI is not a scale of health" in another post. Then why are we using it? He had also stated that you can be healthy with and overweight BMI - but healthier with a "normal" one.

Heh? If you are healthy how do you become healthier? C'mon Dr. Kal, get off the Medical Association bandwagon. Use that "common sense"!

Dr. Kal is just making the case that BMI is a useless indicator for weight or health.

Heather proves the point - if you eat healthy and moderately, exercise, and basically accept yourself and like yourself they way you are - you will not need all this rigamarole like BMI and "visceral fat".

Thank you Heather!

Just another discussion about fit and fat. I have read the news at largeplace.com the other day. I don't what what the people who did the research wants to tell us. It dones't have much meaning about to approve the correlation between fit and fat. There isn't absolute fit.

Wow heather, you must have a super amount of muscle on you, I'm jealous!

Me: 5ft2, 125lb 24% body fat.

that is true, you can never tell how fit someone is by looking at them. Like for me, im 20 lbs. underweight and people think im healthy, but im really not, im trying my best to gain weight tho(: