Can You Be Overweight and Healthy?

While it may seen counter-intuitive to many, the idea that people can be both healthy and overweight - and sometimes even more healthy than people who are thinner - is gaining both traction and attention. Several years ago, a number of studies demonstrated that people who are slightly overweight but who exercise have less risk of developing cardiac disease than people of normal weight but who are sedentary. This led to a recommendation that overweight individuals spend more time focused on their blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels than on the numbers on some scale.

Well, that idea is now being revised. The New York Times' Well blog recently took on the issue, reported by Gretchen Reynolds, weighing the scientific evidence and giving voice to a number of experts. The details and final assessment?

1. Swedish researchers recently published findings of a study in which they examined the medical records (spanning 30 years) of more than 1,700 middle-aged men. The men were measured and tested when they reached the age of 50 and then periodically over the next 50 years. They were grouped according to body-mass index and metabolic profiles, which is a good overall indicator of physical health and fitness. The findings? Even though being fat and having healthy blood work puts you at less risk of cardiac disease than someone who is thin and has lousy metabolic parameters, being overweight still leaves you with a 50 percent greater risk of developing heart disease.

2. Another study looked at activity levels in women to assess health and fitness and came to pretty much the same conclusion. Researchers determined that women with a higher BMI, even if they were active, had an elevated risk of coronary heart disease compared to women of normal weight who engaged in the same amount of activity. In other words, being active can lessen the health risks of carrying extra pounds but can't eliminate them.

3. So why, if we're been told that levels of fitness are the ultimate issue, do a few extra pounds continue to present such a problem? Some have speculated that fat itself is unhealthy tissue that can interfere with muscle function, and also release inflammatory molecules that increase the risk of diabetes and heart disease (two ailments frequently linked to overweight and obese individuals).

So what's the answer? Staying active and keeping your weight down to a healthy number. Not exactly an earth shattering conclusion, I know, but that seems to be the best solution both science and common sense have to offer. If you're looking for a way to get started on your path to fitness, try some simple exercises that can be easily incorporated into your routine. Also, here are some tips for keeping your weight down using natural supplements.