Fit and Fat? Not Enough to Reduce Risks of Obesity

If you are both fit and fat, is that enough to reduce your health risks? The jury is still out as the "New England Journal of Medicine" reports findings from the Nurse's Health Study that the risk of death is only somewhat reduced for those who are both obese and who exercise regularly.

Regular Exercise Reduces Risk of Death

Both the Nurse's Health Study and a University of Florida study showed that exercise reduced health risks for women who were overweight or obese. The Florida study showed that heart disease risk depended only on exercise and not on weight. But the Nurse's Health Study showed that being of a healthy weight with body mass index (BMI) under 25 and exercising 3.5 hours or more a week significantly reduced risk of death from all causes combined. Being overweight (BMI over 30) showed increased risk. Those who were overweight but active had almost twice the risk as those who were lean and active, while those who were overweight and inactive were at even greater risk.
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Relative Risk of Death
Lean, active: 1.00
Lean, inactive: 1.55
Obese, active: 1.91
Obese, inactive: 2.42

Lose Fat, Lose Risk?

Research studies agree that exercise and physical activity reduce health risks for most of the biggest killers - heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. Achieving and maintaining a lean body weight may further reduce health risks.

Walking Off Weight

Walking is a recommended physical activity for weight loss and reducing health risks. We have free programs to get you started and give tips on eating right for weight loss.
Walk of Life 10-Week Program
How to Walk Off Weight

Source: Frank B. Hu, et.al. "Adiposity as Compared with Physical Activity in Predicting Mortality among Women" New England Journal of Medicine, Dec. 23, 2004 Volume 351:2694-2703.