Carlos Solis
Researchers tracked 85,761 people for five years. During that time, more than 7,500 participants died.
“Fat but Fit”
The results revealed that individuals with a body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 35 (i.e., those who are overweight or approaching obesity) did not have a higher risk of death than people in the “healthy” upper BMI range (22.5–25).
This is often called “metabolically healthy obesity” or the “fat but fit” phenomenon, as reported by Daily Mail.
Why Being Underweight Can Be Harmful
On the other hand, participants with a BMI of 18.5 or lower had a death risk that was 2.7 times higher than average. Even those at the lower end of the normal range (BMI 18.5–20) showed a doubled risk.
Dr. Sigrid Bjerge Gribsholt explained that this may partly be due to some individuals losing weight because of underlying illnesses. At the same time, a higher BMI in older adults can sometimes have a protective effect.
The Risks of Obesity Remain
Meanwhile, scientists emphasized that class 2 obesity (BMI 35–40) increases the risk of death by 23%.
Particularly dangerous is visceral fat — the fat that accumulates around the liver and intestines. It can make a person appear slim on the outside while accelerating aging of the heart and blood vessels.
“Pear” or “Apple”?
The study results, published in the European Heart Journal, also suggest that body shape may be more important for heart health than weight itself.
Men with an “apple-shaped” figure, where fat accumulates in the abdominal area, were significantly more likely to show accelerated heart aging.
In contrast, women with a “pear-shaped” figure — who are genetically predisposed to store fat in the hips and thighs (known as gluteofemoral fat) — had healthier, younger hearts.
Photo: Unsplash
