Overweight is usually a big risk to our health

Risk Factor Overweight: Being fit is good, being leaner is better
Those who are severely overweight can not compensate for the negative effects on their health by a very good fitness. This suggests a study from Sweden, attended by 1.3 million men. The subjects were on average 18 years old at the beginning of the study. Body weight was assessed by the Body Mass Index (BMI), which is the ratio of weight to height. The physicians determined the fitness level on the basis of a performance test on a bicycle ergometer and divided it into a 5-point scale.
Men in the highest fitness category had statistically a 48 percent lower risk of dying compared to subjects in the lowest fifth. The evaluation of the data showed that the positive effect of a good athletic performance decreases with increasing overweight. In obesity, a positive effect was no longer detectable. For normal weight people, the probability of dying was - regardless of their fitness - lower than that of very overweight people on a high fitness level.

Disease overweight. Picture: Kurhan - fotolia

However, the scientists point out that only the data of men and relatively early deaths have been included in the evaluation. In addition, body weight and fitness levels can change over the years. Further studies are to follow in order to investigate the effects in older age.

Overweight is not an unalterable fate. "If you want to lose a few pounds in the new year, this is best achieved through a balanced diet and a lot of exercise in everyday life," explains nutritionist Harald Seitz from aid infodienst. It does not have to be the gym. It already helps to take the stairs instead of the elevator and the bike instead of the car more often. "Crash diets are not suitable for long-term weight loss," says Seitz. Often the weight after the diet is higher than before, and one-sided food choices can lead to nutrient deficiencies. And always better for the mind and cramped calorie counting is according to Harald Seitz a jolted measure of serenity: "More important than a number on the scales but is always your own Wohlfühlgewicht. You should not put too much pressure on yourself and still enjoy it. " (Heike Kreutz, aid)