In 2005, Time Magazine attempted to answer that question, and the conclusion was “Yes, you can.” This was based on the observation that many who are overweight or obese have normal blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar values – therefore their health did not appear to be in jeopardy. For sure, there is much debate, even among experts, over this issue. But the overwhelming majority of medical research indicates that being above your ideal body weight is bad for your health.
A study published by Circulation on-line, December 28, 2009, concluded that overweight individuals with no abnormalities of blood pressure, cholesterol, or blood sugar (all indicators of “being healthy”), have a 50 percent increased risk of developing heart disease compared to those of normal weight. For those who are obese with numbers otherwise normally associated with good health, the risk is increased by 95 percent.
Beyond being bad for your heart, overweight also increases your risk of cancer, the second leading cause of American deaths. That’s right – cancer. The American Institute for Cancer Research estimates that over 100,000 cancers of various types are caused each year by overweight and obesity. And half of Americans don’t know this relationship exists.
Added to these disorders is an up to 40 times increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes if you are overweight or obese. Type 2 diabetes is the number one cause of kidney failure, blindness, and non-traumatic lower limb amputations in America.
It really doesn’t matter if your motivation to get slimmer is so you can look good in your bathing suit this summer, or if you want to avoid a heart attack, cancer, or type 2 diabetes. Regardless of why you lose, you will still gain better health. What’s the easiest, and also healthiest, way to lose those pounds? Eat more fiber foods, drink more water, and stop eating when you’re no longer hungry.
So, can you be overweight and healthy? Possibly, but I wouldn’t want you to bet on it – certainly not with your life.
The author submits this blog posting as a health educator and not in any other capacity. You should seek the advice of your physician regarding a personal health condition or before undertaking any diet, exercise, or other health program.
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It's too bad you didn't mention exercise as a key indicator to health and how this factor plays on overweight people.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, certainly it is better to be physically active than not physically active if one is overweight, obese, or at your ideal weight. But physical activity alone will not take away the health risks caused by overweight and obesity. A good example of this is the health of obese professional football players. Over the last century, the rate of death before age 50 for obese football players is twice that for the players that were not obese. So, while I am all for people being physically active, and while it will undoubtedly help improve health no matter what your current weight is, no one should believe that exercise alone will take away the increased health risks of carrying excess weight. Check out my latest blog - "I Don't Exercise, and Neither Should You."
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