Fitness Friday

Obesity Doesn't Always Equal an Increase in Mortality

Research suggests that people who suffer from metabolic obesity but have no other metabolic risk factors do not necessarily have an increased risk of death.

     It's hard to argue the evidence that shows an increase in obesity in this country, it's a condition that affects people of all nationalities, genders, and ages. Unfortunately even with all the cases of obesity, there is a stigma attached to it, and many are unfairly judged as being unhealthy solely based on their weight. Research now suggests that might not actually be the case, people who don't possess other risk factors aren't always unhealthy.

     A study out of York University's Facility of Health followed 54,089 men and women and split them into different groups including obesity by itself, and obesity combined with other metabolic risk factors.They then compared the times of their deaths with people who were determined to have "normal weight". Currently anyone who has a BMI over 30 should lose weight, but there isn't a whole lot of research that shows their risk of dying is any greater or sooner than their "normal weight" counterparts. People should lose weight if it's impacting their life or health, and should be between themselves and their doctor. This study could help the stigma behind being overweight, and allow people to continue to be happy and healthy without people judging them differently.