When fat is fit and thin is not

CAN YOU be fat and fit? Some recent studies suggest that being overweight or obese may not be a health threat for everyone.

One groundbreaking report, in the European Heart Journal, found a "subset" of obese people who are healthy and have a high level of fitness, measured by their heart and lung performance.

These fortunate people don't suffer from the typical conditions linked to obesity, like insulin resistance, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

"People can be obese but metabolically healthy and fit, with no greater risk of developing or dying from cardiovascular disease or cancer than normal-weight people," the study found.

More shockingly, a 2012 study from the National Cancer Institute found that moderately obese people (those with body-mass index between 30 and 34.9) lived three years longer than normal-weight individuals.

While these findings may seem counterintuitive, they're good evidence that people can be both fat and fit.

On the flip side, people can be thin and not physically fit at all. They can likewise sport a muscular physique, with a slamming sixpack, and still be unhealthy if they neglect to do any cardio - or they sabotage all their hard work by smoking.

How can someone who's skinny be less fit than someone who's fat? I often run into people who follow commercial or fad diets to lose weight but don't exercise. They may get to their so-called "ideal weight," but I wouldn't consider them healthy.

Too many people get caught on the diet-only roller coaster. They never achieve true fitness and can actually end up with muscle loss.

Ultimately, exercise is the key - and the best state-of-the-art equipment is you!

Whether you're fat, thin or medium, just get moving and keep moving.

Exercise does more than manage your weight. It helps every bit of your body, from your heart to your brain (regular exercise improves mental acuity) and even your emotional well-being.

I hope today's column motivates and inspires you to take better care of yourself, no matter your size. Get off the couch, and get moving!