New research has just thrown a dagger through the core of the mindset that can be “fat but fit”.
Physical activity does nothing to cancel out the harmful effects of excess body weight on cardiovascular health, according to a bomb study published Thursday in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, a journal of the European Society of Cardiology.
The results contradict previous studies that conclude that maintaining physical activity could decrease the effects of extra body weight on heart health.
“You can’t be ‘fat but healthy,'” said study author Alejandro Lucia, a professor of exercise physiology at the European University of Madrid. “This was the first nationwide analysis that went demonstrate that being active regularly is not likely to eliminate the harmful health effects of excess body fat. Our results refute the notion that a physically active lifestyle can completely negate the harmful effects of overweight and obesity. “
Lucia cites previous research suggesting, in adults and children, that a “fat but fit” lifestyle could be in a cardiovascular area similar to those that are “thin but not fit,” and adds that people have deviated. of the true priority.
“This has led to controversial health policy proposals [prioritize] physical activity and fitness above weight loss, “he said.” Our study tried to clarify the links between activity, body weight, and heart health. “
This study surveyed data from 527,662 working Spanish adults, all insured by a large occupational risk prevention company. Thirty-two percent of participants were women; The median age was 42 years.
They were classified by activity level and body weight, with 42 percent classified as normal weight with a body mass index (BMI) of 20 to 24.9. Approximately 41 percent were overweight, with a BMI of 25 to 29.9, while 18 percent considered themselves obese, with a BMI of 30 or higher. The majority of the study group, more than 63%, were physically inactive. About 24 percent were active regularly and only more than 12 percent considered themselves inactive.
The research team then examined the associations between BMI, physical activity level and high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes, all three of which carry high risks of heart attack and stroke. .
They found that, in all BMI measurements, any physical activity was related to a lower likelihood of diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure compared to no exercise.
“This tells us that everyone, regardless of their body weight, should be physically active to safeguard their health,” Lucia said.
So, yes, being active is important. But size still matters.
Regardless of activity levels, overweight and obese participants faced higher cardiovascular risks than those with normal body weight. Compared to normal-weight inactive adults, physically active obese people were still twice as likely to have high cholesterol, four times more likely to have diabetes, and five times more likely to have high blood pressure.
“Exercise does not seem to compensate for the negative effects of being overweight,” he added. “This finding was also observed in general in both men and women when they were [analyzed] separately. “
Lucia concluded that obesity and inactivity need to be combated.
“It should be a joint battle,” he said. “Weight loss should continue to be the primary goal of health policies along with the promotion of active lifestyles.”
However, the study makes no mention or dietary recommendations, and when it comes to an example of physical activity, Lucia said “walking 30 minutes a day is better than walking 15 minutes a day.” .
Sean Heffron, MD, a cardiologist at NYU Langone Health’s Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention, stressed that obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, as is insufficient physical activity, but weight loss requires a two-part formula.
“Exercising on its own is not the way to lose weight,” he said. “It’s complementary to having an ideal body weight,” but improving the other diet is the other piece of the puzzle.
“Without a doubt, the ideal would be to have both.”