Obesity is often considered one of the biggest risk factors for premature death, but a new study finds that cardiorespiratory fitness actually has a greater influence on mortality risk. And our long-term health.
In other words, although obesity is linked to many health problems, being fit is more important than being “thin” when it comes to living longer and staying healthier longer. a long time. The findings could be a reason to revamp public health strategies and treatments.
“As a society, we tend to equate body weight or being overweight with health,” says kinesiologist Nathan Weeldryer of the University of Virginia.
“Our study, which features the largest and most representative sample to date, as well as more rigorous statistical analysis compared to previous research, aims to change perspectives on the relationship between fitness and body fat .”
Researchers from the United States and the United Kingdom compiled and analyzed data from 20 studies published between 1980 and 2023, with a total sample of 398,716 participants. All studies included data on body mass index (BMI), cardiorespiratory fitness, and mortality risk.
The team found that the risk of premature death for physically fit obese people was similar to that of people classified as physically fit and of normal weight. Additionally, being obese and being physically fit meant a longer life on average than being a normal weight and being unfit.
While the data doesn’t show that fitness is the only factor, it does highlight how important it is to our overall health. This is consistent with previous research linking fitness to lower mortality risk, although it’s also worth noting that we are all different when it comes to how exercise affects our bodies.
“It turns out that fitness is much more important than obesity when it comes to mortality risk,” says exercise physiologist Siddhartha Angadi of the University of Virginia.
“Exercise is more than just a way to burn calories. It is an excellent ‘medicine’ for optimizing overall health and can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and death from all causes for people of all sizes .”
Researchers do not underestimate the health burden of obesity: approximately 1 in 8 people worldwide now meet the definition of obesity, and this figure is increasing. It puts all sorts of strain on the body and increases the risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, cancers, strokes, and heart, liver, and kidney diseases.
However, the relationship between obesity and the risk of premature death is unclear. The team behind this review wants to see more emphasis on exercise and physical activity and less on weight loss methods.
“Repetitive cycles of weight loss and gain – yo-yo dieting – are associated with many health risks comparable to those of obesity itself,” says exercise physiologist Glenn Gaesser of Arizona State University.
“Improving cardiorespiratory, i.e. aerobic, fitness can help avoid adverse health effects.”
The research was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
