As obesity rates rise in the United States, many people are turning to weight-loss methods, including new drugs, to shed pounds.
However, researchers at the University of Virginia, along with other experts, are highlighting something different: cardiorespiratory fitness is a more important factor for long-term health than weight.
Their study suggests that being fit, regardless of weight, may be more crucial for a longer, healthier life.
The researchers found that people who are fit share similar health outcomes regardless of whether they are classified as “obese” or “normal weight” based on body mass index (BMI).
In fact, fit individuals considered obese had a significantly lower risk of death than normal-weight individuals who were unfit. Dr. Siddhartha Angadi, associate professor of exercise physiology at the University of Virginia, summarized the findings, saying, “Fitness is far more important than fatness when it comes to mortality risk.”
The study showed that fit, obese individuals had death risks similar to those of fit, normal-weight individuals and close to half the risk of unfit, normal-weight individuals.
The team reviewed data from 20 large studies that together included nearly 400,000 adults from multiple countries.
This extensive review allowed the researchers to make a strong case for prioritizing fitness over weight loss, especially for people with obesity.
According to Angadi, exercise provides numerous health benefits that go beyond burning calories, including reducing the risks of cardiovascular disease and premature death, regardless of body size.
Nathan Weeldryer, a co-author of the study and a doctoral student in kinesiology at UVA, pointed out that people often equate weight with health.
However, their study, one of the largest and most globally inclusive on the topic, aims to shift this perception. “I hope our study can help people see that fitness matters just as much, if not more, than weight when it comes to health,” he said.
For many years, weight loss has been viewed as essential for reducing the risks associated with obesity, like heart disease and diabetes.
But weight loss can be challenging and often leads to what’s known as “yo-yo dieting,” where people lose weight only to regain it, sometimes repeatedly.
Glenn Gaesser, a professor at Arizona State University and co-author of the study, explained that repeated cycles of weight loss and gain can be just as harmful as obesity itself.
“Improving cardiorespiratory fitness, or aerobic fitness, can help reduce these risks without the health problems associated with yo-yo dieting,” he said.
Currently, only about 20% of adults in the U.S. meet the recommended guidelines for physical activity: 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity weekly, along with muscle-strengthening exercises twice a week.
For those who aren’t active, adding just a little aerobic activity, like brisk walking, can make a big difference.
Dr. Angadi noted that even small increases in physical activity among sedentary individuals can lead to major health benefits. He suggests aiming for about 30 minutes of brisk walking several days a week, which can significantly reduce risks of death and heart disease.
Ultimately, this study underscores the importance of fitness over weight and encourages people to focus on moving their bodies for better health, regardless of their size.
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