Obesity & Diabetes Boost in Fitness Trumps BMI in Reducing Death
Risks Summary: Tired of not achieving that ideal body weight?
Relax, say researchers. Physical fitness is much more important
than one’s Body Mass Index (BMI) in reducing an individual’s
risk of premature death. Recent research published in
Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association from the
University of South Carolina should ease the minds of the more
than 67% of overweight American adults. Maintaining or improving
fitness levels was a more important indicator of preventing
premature death regardless of body size. The study conducted by
the University of South Carolina’s Arnold School of Public
Health analyzed the health of 14,345 adult males finding a
significant association with lowered risks of premature death
among those maintaining or improving fitness levels even after
controlling for BMI. The study further found a 19% lowered risk
of heart disease and stroke related deaths for every unit of
increase fitness (measured as meta