A recent comprehensive review has revealed a surprising conclusion: being in shape more important for longevity than simply being thin. The study, which analyzed a wealth of previous research, found that being physically unfit significantly increased the risk of premature death, regardless of body mass index (BMI). In fact, those who were aerobically fit, even if they had obese, had a much lower risk of dying prematurely compared to those with normal weight but poor fitness levels.

The Study and Its Findings Shape More Important

The study, which is the largest and most comprehensive analysis to date, examined the relationship between aerobic fitness, BMI, and longevity. Researchers discovered that people who were not in shape had a much higher risk of dying prematurely, regardless of their weight or BMI. On the other hand, individuals with obesity who were aerobically fit had about half the likelihood of dying young as those who had normal weight but lacked fitness.

According to Siddhartha Angadi, an exercise physiologist at the University of Virginia and the study’s senior author, the results suggest that focusing on fitness rather than fatness is far more important for health and longevity. This conclusion supports the growing body of research showing that physical activity plays a key role in maintaining good health and extending life, even if an individual is overweight.

This research, published in November in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, reinforces the idea that being healthy and living a long life is possible at any weight, as long as a person remains active and fit. The study also highlights the importance of exercise, especially with New Year’s resolutions in full swing, as even modest amounts of physical activity can lower the risk of early death, regardless of recent weight changes.

Can You Be Heavy and Healthy?

The question of whether it is possible to be overweight but still healthy has long intrigued scientists. While it is well-established that people with obesity are at a higher risk for conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, recent research suggests that being fit can offset some of these risks, regardless of a person’s BMI.

In a 2021 review, Angadi and his colleagues found that exercise could reduce the risk of premature death by 30 percent, even for individuals who did not lose any weight. This benefit was nearly double the gains seen in people who lost weight through dieting alone. However, many previous studies on this topic have involved smaller, less diverse groups, often focusing primarily on men and people from the United States. Additionally, the definition of “fitness” in earlier research often relied on subjective data, such as self-reported exercise habits.

A More Comprehensive Study about Shape More Important

For this new study, Angadi and his team sought to broaden the scope and include more diverse participants. They reviewed 20 studies involving nearly 400,000 middle-aged or older individuals from various countries, with approximately 30 percent of participants being women. The studies they selected provided objective data on participants’ aerobic fitness, which was typically measured using a cardiovascular stress test.

The researchers divided participants into two groups: those deemed “unfit,” whose fitness levels were in the bottom 20 percent for their age and gender, and those considered “fit,” who scored in the top 80 percent for their age and gender. They then tracked the participants’ mortality rates over follow-up periods of up to two decades.

BMI, Fitness, and Mortality Rates

The findings confirmed the importance of fitness in determining longevity. When comparing BMI, fitness, and death rates, the study showed that even individuals with higher BMI who were physically fit had a much lower risk of premature death than those with lower BMI but poor fitness.

This study sheds light on the fact that aerobic fitness is crucial for a long and healthy life, far outweighing the significance of BMI alone. The research provides a compelling argument that improving one’s physical fitness through exercise is a key factor in reducing the risk of early death, regardless of body size.

Conclusion

The results of this study reinforce a growing body of evidence suggesting that regular physical activity is more important for longevity than maintaining a certain weight. While it’s important to be mindful of weight-related health risks,and shape more important the key takeaway is that staying active and fit offers a powerful defense against premature death. So, whether you’ve gained weight recently or have struggled with weight for years, focusing on improving your fitness level could have a greater impact on your health than simply trying to shed pounds.