Fatness Vs Fitness
Is it the fat itself, or other issues which tend to go along with being overweight that puts people at higher health risks? A recent study in the Archives of Internal Medicine took a look at whether being overweight/obese in and of itself is problematic. The researchers found that while cardiac risk factors such as high blood glucose and high blood pressure are strongly correlated with overweight and obesity, about half of the overweight and one third of the obese subject showed no such increase in risk factors. Furthermore, one quarter of those of normal weight possessed the risk factors.
As Tara Parker-Pope in the New York Times pointed out, this result is not surprising. She also points to studies in the past which have shown that fitness is more important than weight when it comes to health risk factors, and that being mildly overweight does not seem to increase mortality. So what do these studies mean for us?
First of all, whatever your weight, exercise is important. There is a reason why Dr. Atkins said that exercise should be considered "non-negotiable". Also, it is about time we realized that not everyone is alike, that our bodies are complex, and that one size doesn't fit all in almost any way. While a low-carb diet can help reduce our weight AND improve health risk factors, there are no guarantees when it comes to how much weight loss any individual can achieve and (more importantly) maintain. If we keep the focus on the health risk factors, we can avoid falling into the trap of over-focusing on what the scale says.
A lot of people would have us believe that we have complete control over our body weight, but this is simply not true. Our weight is multi-determined (in other words, a lot of different factors go into it), and we are only beginning to understand some of it. I know some people who have lost a lot of weight eating low-carb and have kept it off for a long time. I know more people (myself included) who have been able to maintain a "moderate" weight loss of about 10% of body weight. This amount of weight loss does not bring me into the "normal" weight range, but has been shown to have health benefits, and indeed all my risk factors have improved and been maintained over the last 8 years.
I often wonder what would have happened if I had eaten a low-carb diet earlier in my life instead of the low-fat/high-carb diet that I believed was healthy but which may have driven me further down the road to obesity and closer to diabetes. Unfortunately, I can't go back to do it over and find out. What I CAN do is to do the best I can with the body I have. I exercise, I eat a healthy low-carb diet, I take some supplements (such as fish oil), I monitor my blood glucose, and I stay on top of medical news to learn new things that might help. These things have kept my blood lipids in good shape, my blood glucose on the borderline between "normal" and pre-diabetic, my blood pressure normal, my triglycerides low and my HDL ("good") cholesterol high.
I will confess that I would love to be a normal weight, but for whatever constellation of reasons this does not seem to be in the cards for me. So I am stuck, as everyone else is, with doing the best I can with the body I was dealt. For me, that includes as much acceptance as possible with regards to the shape of that body.
Photo © Paul Preacher
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hi, thanks for your article on accepting our body and about the fact that some people even if they do a lot of effort, cannot lose a lot, which is what happens to me, so i found comfort in your words. i have done the atkins for a month and a week and it is easy and i feel great with it. all the best, Adva (israel)
Laura, thank you for this article. I’ve come to the conclusion that I will probably never be in that “correct weight” category. However, I also am not in the morbidly obese category, thanks to low carb eating. My goal is fitness and I’m trying to not obsess over the scale.
It never ceases to amaze me when I see a new doctor, they are always awe struck by the fact my bp and blood work are fine. I have no heart disease and my cholesterol levels are right on target. And yes I am what the consider morbidly obese, but thanks to my low carb lifestyle it’s coming down. Just good to see someone admit it’s not just us fat folk that have heart disease.
Adva—-Patty—-and Vikki:Congratulations for “accepting” yourselves as you “ARE” but with the good conscious,and awareness to stay “FIT”.I am 68 years old,155 lb–5 ft 5 in Male Veteran of D-Nam era that walks over 11 miles four times a week,weather and circumstances permitting,in 2 1/2 hrs Summer,3 hrs winter.FITNESS is the Key Ladies.I still walk UPRIGHT like a Soldier and many many people can tell it by my Military cadence,gait,and posture.Many of them call me “Little Marching Soldier” although they ALL know my name.12 miles in modern walking shoes is a stroll around the block compared to 25 miles FORCED Marching in combat Boots with a 65 lb pack on your back.LOL.You BEAUTIFUL YOUNG Ladies and Women keep doing what you are doing.Because I stay highly active,but most importantly,EXERCISE REGULARLY.My Doctors say,”You have the agility of a much younger Man”.FITNESS is the answer.Be blessed.I love you ALL three.You are FIRST CLASS.:)