“Fit and Fat?” Study Says No
As someone who has always considered herself “fit,” it’s easy to sit around patting myself on the back, turning a blind eye to the few extra pounds that have crept on. After all, I exercise often, eat healthy foods and a variety of fresh and organic vegetables, very very rarely (never, except in dire straights) eat fast food, etc. I find comfort in thinking I must be in the upper percentile of healthy living, and thus must be A-OK.
That comfort may be misplaced, though, as studies are showing more and more that weight is important. As I mentioned before, I am apple-shaped which, espcially for woman, can mean increase heath risk.
And now this study from the Journal of Internal Medicine reinforces the idea that it IS important to consider weight in reducing risk factors overall:
“… although physical activity definitely helps improve cardiovascular health, such exercise does not “eliminate the negative effects of being overweight.”
Just a little food for thought on this Monday morning.
Edit: Find a more in-depth, deep-dive on the study findings at the Junk Food Science blog. While I find the explanation of the study methodology interesting, I have to say the writing smacks of, “This is isn’t true, it’s perfectly fine to be overweight- don’t let science tell you otherwise!” I’m not sure if the author of this blog is telling people being at a healthy weight isn’t important, or just seems like she’s handing out “OK to be overweight, don’t worry about it” cards on a silver platter.
Smurf, first thing- you definitely qualify as fit not “fit”
Secondly, I can imagine this topic will bring up a lot of interesting responses. I used to be the person who edited (read: sorted) the BUST reader’s letters to the editor regarding the size of our models, or the fit vs fat questions, and even an article on the insensitivity of the fat suited Gwyneth Paltrow in Shallow Hall. And though I whole heartedly agree that women need to learn how to love themselves (because many women don’t) I more firmly believe in the importance of diet and exercise. And culturally, these two topics somehow became diametric to each other. I forsee an uproar, articles, and blogs all angrily denouncing the study you’ve cited when the truth is that healthy eating and exercise makes you *GASP* healthier.
I am all for learning to love yourself- but when ever-ballooning Beth Ditto of The Gossip is held up as an example of what it means to “love yourself despite your size” there is a disconnect. You can love yourself and still strive to drop that extra 20 pounds (or 200, as the came may be) for the sake of your health. Vs. just sit there and say, “Don’t try to give me an eating disorder, I love myself!” It’s not an either/or situation.
And, as someone who has had bouts of “disordered eating” in the past, I personally find it simplistic that someone would suggest that thin models in magazines or articles about weightloss/healthy eating made me that way.
On either side of the coin, there is enough room for both self-acceptance/love and improvement.