People who are obese but in good physical condition have a much lower risk of mortality than individuals with normal weight but who are very sedentary, according to researchers.
- People in good cardiorespiratory condition have similar risks of death and cardiovascular disease, regardless of their weight.
- Better still, individuals who are obese but in good physical condition have a mortality risk almost half that of individuals who are thin but not very active and very sedentary.
- With only 20% of adults meeting official physical activity recommendations (150 minutes per week of moderate effort or 75 minutes of intense exercise), researchers emphasize the benefits of moderate activity for sedentary people.
While obesity continues to increase in many regions of the world, including France, solutions for losing weight are experiencing rapid growth, particularly new slimming medications. However, according to a study carried out by the University of Virginia (United States) and published in the British Journal of Sports Medicinefitness may be more important than weight when it comes to living longer and healthier.
Fitness versus excess weight: what the science says
By analyzing data from 20 studies involving nearly 400,000 adults from different countries, researchers discovered that people in good cardiorespiratory condition have similar risks of death and cardiovascular disease, regardless of their weight. Better still, individuals who are obese but in good physical condition have a mortality risk almost half that of individuals who are thin but not very active and very sedentary. “Physical fitness is much more important than thinness in reducing the risk of mortality”say the scientists in a press release.
These results challenge the conventional wisdom that weight loss is the only key to better health. “Society tends to associate thinness with health, but our study shows that physical fitness is a more reliable indicator of well-being.” Especially since weight loss remains a challenge for many, in particular because of the “yo-yo” phenomenon, this tendency to quickly regain the weight that we have lost through dieting. “These repeated cycles of weight loss and gain are as dangerous to your health as obesity itself”say the authors of the study.
Fight against a sedentary lifestyle to protect your health
With only 20% of adults meeting official physical activity recommendations (150 minutes per week of moderate effort or 75 minutes of intense exercise), researchers emphasize the benefits of moderate activity for sedentary people. “The biggest improvements in reducing mortality risks come when completely inactive people start moving, even modestly”according to the study.
Simple exercises such as brisk walking, practiced 30 minutes a day, several times a week, are enough to improve physical condition. In other words, there is no point aiming for slimness at all costs: it is better to prioritize regular effort to protect your heart and your health.
