You can’t be fat and fit...why the ‘obesity paradox’ is a myth
MANAGING to be both fat and fit is just a myth, a major British study suggests today.
Researchers counter the belief that people can be overweight but not face an increased risk of heart disease, a phenomenon known as the obesity paradox.
But studies show that the risk of heart attack, stroke and high blood pressure rockets when body mass index rises beyond 22.
Risks also soar the more fat someone carries around their waist, findings published in the European Heart Journal say.
Guidelines suggest a body mass between 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy, 25 to 29.9 overweight, while 30 or more is obese.
Researchers behind the latest analysis say their results are conclusive.
Study leader Dr Stamatina Iliodromiti, from the University of Glasgow, said: “This is the largest study that provides evidence against the obesity paradox in healthy people. By maintaining a healthy BMI of around 22 to 23, healthy people can minimise their risk of developing or dying from heart disease. The less fat, especially around their abdomen, the lower the risk of future heart disease.
“The story may possibly be different for those with pre-existing disease because in cancer patients, for instance, being slightly overweight is associated with lower risk, especially as cancer and its treatments can lead to unhealthy weight loss.”
The study of 296,535 healthy adults of white European descent showed those with a body mass of 22-23 had the lowest risk of cardiovascular disease.
But as BMI increased above 22, risk heightened by 13 per cent for every 5.2 increase in women and 4.3 in men.
Compared with women who had waist circumferences of 29in and men with 32.6in, risk increased by 16 per cent in women and 10 per cent in men for up to every five-inch increase in waist circumference.
Similar risk increases were seen when researchers looked at waist-to-hip and waist-to-height ratios and percentages of body fat.
Study co-author Professor Naveed Sattar said: “There are no downsides to losing weight intentionally and the health professions needs to get better at helping people.”
British Heart Foundation medical director Professor Sir Nilesh Samani said: “The findings from this study contribute to the overwhelming evidence that there is no such thing as healthy obesity.
“The take-home message here is maintaining a healthy body weight is a key step towards maintaining a healthy heart.”