Fit or Fat?

We all recall the relatively recent “scientific” research (federally funded research, no less) that seemed to indicate that being somewhat overweight for one’s age, especially in one’s fifties, was actually better than being somewhat leaner. It was reported that the leaner part of the population was not as well off in terms of long-term mortality and morbidity (death and disease) as was once thought. Of course, the story made national headlines because it allowed such cutesy headlines as, “Being fat might be okay after all!” As it turned out, the data was horribly skewed by a number of factors that should have been obvious to the researchers. First and foremost, the data analysis did not account for the fact that many of the participants in the study had chronic diseases when the study began as well as the fact that smokers were included in the study and their greater known tendency toward chronic illness and comparatively lighter body weight was a real factor in the inaccurate analysis of the data.

A more recent review last summer (also federally supported and prepared) appropriately adjusted a similar data analysis to find that being overweight did, indeed, create a greater tendency toward the possibility of additional fat weight and higher rates of chronic disease and mortality being directly related. For example, people that were measured as being “overweight” (a BMI of 25. 0 to 29.9) in their early to mid-fifties were found to have a 20% to 40% GREATER chance of dying within 10 years (the length of the study) than those who were leaner (a BMI of 23.5 to 24.9). Of course, one could argue that other factors could be at play in terms of mortality and that would be true but the numbers are clearly favorable to those that “stay fit” in terms of maintaining a healthy body weight.

Having said that, the real challenge in studies such as these is the dependence of using BMI (Body Mass Index) as a measurement device for determining or, more accurately, assessing body composition. In short, it stinks. The BMI should be retired as a measurement device for the purpose of research (although it is simple to do as a “field” technique which is why it has been so popular for so many years) and replaced with more accurate tests (such as skinfold tests or even waist-to-hip ratio). BMI simply does NOT measure percent body FAT and, therefore, is USELESS as an assessment tool when attempting to determine the EFFECTS of excess body fat. Overweight and overfat is NOT necessarily the same thing. If a study is worth doing, particularly one that is carried out over many years (such as the ones referenced above), it only makes sense to use body composition measurement techniques that are accurate.

I’m Dr. Paul Kennedy and that’s the “Be Fit, Stay Fit” Topic of the Week. Good luck with YOUR program I KNOW you can do it!

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