Physical Wellness

Is 'Fat And Fit' A Myth?

By R. Siva Kumar | Update Date: Dec 24, 2015 08:41 AM EST

Scientists find what you always knew---that fat and fit aren't exactly made for each other.

A new study in the Journal of Epidemiology talks about the "fat but fit" notion, showing that for people who are overweight or obese, but still regularly active, too much weight can cancel out the benefits of exercise.

In a study in Umeå University, more than 1.3 million men with a mean age of 18 for almost 30 years were studied. The researchers examined the link between the levels of aerobic fitness in fat patients in contrast to those who had normal weight.

Researchers assessed the link between aerobic fitness and fatigue when they made the men do exercises until they were exhausted.

Those men who ranked in the top 20 percent of aerobic fitness showed a 48 percent lower risk of death from a cause during the study period, compared with others in the bottom 20 percent. Moreover, due to aerobic fitness, both normal as well as overweight men displayed a reduced risk of death.

Finally, fitness benefits obese men the least, according to researchers. Even those who showed the "highest levels of physical fitness" did not gain much if they exercised regularly.

Hence, those who are fit still face the risk of numerous health issues.

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