Fitness Vs Fatness in Longevity Research
Did you know that fitness level is usually a good predictor for longevity? This is particularly true for individuals over age sixty.
Despite the fact that obesity gets a lot of airtime as a public health problem, it seems that being thin just isn't the be-all and end-all of a healthy body.
Results from a 12-year research program have indicated that fitness levels can be more vital compared to your weight levels and can definitely influence whether or not you suffer from health problems and die sooner than those who tend to be physically fit although not necessarily slim.
The 12-year study was carried out by Professor Steven Blair from the University of South Carolina in Columbia.
Researchers looked at the connection between body fat, fitness and longevity in 2,603 people over the age of 60.
In the beginning of the study, fitness levels were assessed using a treadmill stress test and body fat was calculated by a variety of measures, including BMI, waist circumference and fat percentages.
The volunteers had follow-up medical checks during the 12-year study period.
The overall outcomes revealed that fit adults who participate in cardio workouts on a regular basis lived longer than the unfit, irrespective of their level of obesity or waist size.
There were 450 deaths over the study.
Researchers determined that those who passed away were older, had lower fitness levels and had experienced more cardiovascular risk factors than survivors.
Death rates for those with greater fitness levels were less than half of the rates for individuals who were unfit and not surprisingly they were less likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, like high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol levels.
The exception nevertheless was with those who were greatly overweight or with considerable amounts of abdominal fat.
The message through these research results is that there is great benefit to staying physically active consistently even if you happen to be overweight.
Exercise has a thorough impact on numerous levels - it strengthens the heart, the lungs and builds up the skeletal muscles.
It also provides great benefit to the brain and overall well-being of the person.
You should maintain a healthy body weight at the same time for added benefit.
"Our data provides further evidence regarding the complex long-term relationship among fitness, body size and survival.
It may be possible to reduce all-cause death rates among older adults, including those who are obese, by promoting regular physical activity, such as brisk walking for 30 minutes or more on most days of the week," said Dr.
Xuemei Sui of the University of South Carolina.
The findings for this study are published in the December 5 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Despite the fact that obesity gets a lot of airtime as a public health problem, it seems that being thin just isn't the be-all and end-all of a healthy body.
Results from a 12-year research program have indicated that fitness levels can be more vital compared to your weight levels and can definitely influence whether or not you suffer from health problems and die sooner than those who tend to be physically fit although not necessarily slim.
The 12-year study was carried out by Professor Steven Blair from the University of South Carolina in Columbia.
Researchers looked at the connection between body fat, fitness and longevity in 2,603 people over the age of 60.
In the beginning of the study, fitness levels were assessed using a treadmill stress test and body fat was calculated by a variety of measures, including BMI, waist circumference and fat percentages.
The volunteers had follow-up medical checks during the 12-year study period.
The overall outcomes revealed that fit adults who participate in cardio workouts on a regular basis lived longer than the unfit, irrespective of their level of obesity or waist size.
There were 450 deaths over the study.
Researchers determined that those who passed away were older, had lower fitness levels and had experienced more cardiovascular risk factors than survivors.
Death rates for those with greater fitness levels were less than half of the rates for individuals who were unfit and not surprisingly they were less likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, like high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol levels.
The exception nevertheless was with those who were greatly overweight or with considerable amounts of abdominal fat.
The message through these research results is that there is great benefit to staying physically active consistently even if you happen to be overweight.
Exercise has a thorough impact on numerous levels - it strengthens the heart, the lungs and builds up the skeletal muscles.
It also provides great benefit to the brain and overall well-being of the person.
You should maintain a healthy body weight at the same time for added benefit.
"Our data provides further evidence regarding the complex long-term relationship among fitness, body size and survival.
It may be possible to reduce all-cause death rates among older adults, including those who are obese, by promoting regular physical activity, such as brisk walking for 30 minutes or more on most days of the week," said Dr.
Xuemei Sui of the University of South Carolina.
The findings for this study are published in the December 5 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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