New Study Good fitness is more important than BMI

Physical activity promotes health
Our diet and inadequate physical activity are responsible for the development of overweight and the increase in chronic affluence diseases. "This includes, above all, the so-called metabolic syndrome," said the cardiologist and sports physician Professor. Daniel König, from the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, on the occasion of the workshop "Sports nutrition practical", the German Society for Nutrition, which took place recently in Bonn.

Physiotherapy helps to relieve the symptoms by weakening the muscles. Picture: Picture-Factory-fotolia

The metabolic syndrome is a collective name for various diseases and risk factors for cardiovascular disease. These include too much belly fat, high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar and lipid levels, which is associated with an increased mortality risk. According to recent estimates, 15 to 20 percent of the adult population in Germany has a metabolic syndrome. Through regular physical activity and weight reduction, the risk constellation of chronic diseases is positively influenced in many ways.

Physical fitness together with a weight reduction is the optimum. But: fitness is not equal to fitness. The expert speaks here of cardiorespiratory fitness. It indicates how well the breathing and the blood circulation are able to supply the body with oxygen. In this sense, a "fat man with slight overweight is better off than a slender unfit person," said Professor König.

Many epidemiological studies show a partial clear decrease of chronic diseases in physically active people. In order to achieve the necessary level of fitness, an additional energy turnover of about 1,000 to 1,500 kilocalories / week through physical activity is necessary. This can be achieved by exercising 5 times a week for 45 minutes with moderate intensity or 3 times a week for 45 minutes of high intensity exercise. Moderately means: one can talk while running, cycling, etc. without effort with his neighbor / his concubine.

Activities beyond that do not bring much. "On the other hand," says König, "the body has no memory effect." That is, when the physical activity subsides or ceases, the once achieved positive effects are lost again. Rüdiger Lobitz, bzfe