BEING “fat but fit” is not possible because any obesity carries health risks, a scientist says.
Around one in five obese people do not show signs of illnesses, like high blood pressure or Type 2 diabetes.
GettyBeing ‘fat but fit’ is not possible because any obesity carries health risks, a scientist says[/caption]
GettyPop star Lizzo is known for promoting ‘body positivity’[/caption]
And “body positivity” — promoted by pop stars including Lizzo, 35 — have made people believe it is fine to carry some extra pounds.
But studies show being overweight still increases the likelihood of heart disease in later life, according to Professor Matthias Bluher, of Leipzig University, in Germany.
He said: “There is still an increased risk even for people with what we would call metabolically healthy obesity.
“It looks like this may delay development of diseases, but not prevent it.”
Speaking at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes conference, Prof Bluher said those who seem healthy but are overweight still have a 50 per cent higher risk of heart diseases as they grow older.
He said the “fat but fit” phenomenon is most common in pre-menopausal women.
But he warned in terms of developing fat-related diseases, these women “catch up with male counterparts after menopause”.
An estimated 15 per cent of obese women in their 50s are “healthy” fat in the UK, compared to ten per cent of men.