The latest studies prove that, the protective effects of high fitness against early deaths are reduced in people suffering with Obesity. It even says that, ‘Fat but fit is ok’.  

The research was performed on a number of old people. A few studies have analyzed the direct link between aerobic fitness and health in younger populations.

The study from Umea University in Sweden followed 1,317,713 men for a median average of 29 years to examine the association between aerobic fitness and death later in life, as well as how obesity affected these results. During the study, the people are asked to cycle continuously, till they get tired.  

Men in the highest fifth of aerobic fitness had a 48 per cent lower risk of death from any cause compared with those in the lowest fifth.

Stronger associations were observed for suicidal deaths and abuse of alcohol and narcotics. The researchers even said that, there is a strong association between low aerobic fitness and deaths due to trauma.

Co-author Peter Nordstrom, from Umea University said, “We could only speculate, but genetic factors could have influenced these associations given that aerobic fitness is under strong genetic control.”

The study further evaluated the concept that 'fat but fit is ok'. Men of a normal weight, regardless of their fitness level, were at lower risk of death compared to obese individuals in the highest quarter of aerobic fitness. Nevertheless, the relative benefits of high fitness may still be greater in obese people.

However, the study revealed that, the beneficial effect of high aerobic fitness was  reduced with increased obesity, and in those with extreme obesity, there was no considerable effect at all.

As the study cohort included only men and old people, this data do not support the notion that 'fat but fit' is a benign condition. The study was published in the International Journal of Epidemiology.

By Phani Ch