Healthy and Overweight...Is it possible?
By Shantea Johnson, MS, MPH, CHES, CPT, PN1
Healthy is defined as one who is in good health. Absolutely yes, a person can be overweight and be healthy. Healthy does not mean skinny, in-fact there are many unhealthy skinny people. Healthy can come in all shapes , sizes and weights. Unhealthy people generally have health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood sugar or high cholesterol, body weight is a valid indicator of health risks. In fact Sizer, Whitney 2014 points out that a BMI values may not accurately identify overweight or obesity and BMI doesn’t take into account the relative proportion of fat and muscle tissue. (2014, Sizer, Whitney) Simply put BMI does not tell the whole story!
In fact, a study completed at the USC, states that “people can be obese yet just as physically healthy and fit, or "metabolically fit", as their counterparts with normal body weights, while having no greater chance of heart disease or cancer.” (2012, medicalnewstoday.com). The term "Metabolically fit", is defined as a person exercises regularly, has no high cholesterol, no high blood pressure, or raised blood sugar. This study proves once again that a healthy person can indeed be a overweight person.
By working to improve their health and working to be a healthier individual an obese persons accumulated weight will soon cease to exist. Additionally an overweight but healthy individual should understand that they are a work in progress, we all have to start somewhere. It is a fact that the number on the scale as it isn’t an accurate indicator of health and should not be treated as such. In conclusion, it is reality that one who is healthy, eats right, is physically active and takes care their body is a healthy individual no matter what shape, size or weight.
References:
2014, Whitney, Sizer Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies 13e
2012, Glynn (www.medicalnewstoday.com) You Can Be Overweight And Healthy, Research Suggests
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