by Dr. Leon Katz / September 18 2024

Have you ever heard someone say a person can be "fat but fit"? This idea has caused a lot of discussion among doctors and health experts. Today, we're going to talk about what this means and why it's important for your health.

What is obesity?

First, let's understand what obesity means. Obesity is when a person has too much body fat. Doctors use a special measurement called BMI (Body Mass Index) to figure out if someone is obese. If your BMI is over 30, doctors consider you obese. For people from some Asian countries, the number is a bit lower, at 25.

Why should we care about obesity?

Usually, when someone is obese, they're more likely to have health problems. These can include high blood pressure, which makes your heart work harder. Obese people might also have high cholesterol, which can clog up their blood vessels. They're more likely to get diabetes too, which affects how their body uses food for energy. All of these issues can lead to serious heart problems.

The "Healthy Obese" Idea

Now, here's where it gets interesting. Some people have noticed that not everyone who is obese has these health problems. There are people with high BMIs who seem perfectly healthy. Their blood pressure is normal, their cholesterol is fine, and they don't have diabetes. We call these people "Metabolically Healthy Obese" or MHO for short.

Is being "Healthy Obese" okay?

While it might sound that there are no long-term issues with being "healthy obese," it's not that simple. Studies have shown that many people who start out as MHO don't stay that way. Over time, usually within 6 to 15 years, many of them start to develop the health problems we talked about earlier. It's like being in an early stage of obesity-related issues. Just because you don't have problems now doesn't mean they won't show up later.

What should you do if you're "Healthy Obese"?

If you think you might be in the "healthy obese" category, there are some steps you can take. First, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor. They can check your health and help you understand your risks. Next, try to improve your lifestyle. This means eating healthier foods and getting more exercise. Even small changes can make a big difference.

One of the most important things you can do is try to lose some weight. You don't need to become super skinny. Losing just 5-10% of your body weight can really help lower your risk of getting diabetes or heart disease. For example, if you weigh 200 pounds, losing 10 to 20 pounds could make a big difference to your health.

The Bottom Line

Being "healthy obese" doesn't mean you're completely safe from health risks. Instead, think of it as an early warning. It's a chance to make changes before serious problems start. Your body is telling you, "Hey, I'm doing okay for now, but I could use some help to stay healthy in the future."

Remember, your health is really important! If you're worried about your weight, don't be afraid to talk to a doctor. They're there to help you, not to judge you. Together, you can make a plan to get healthier and stay that way for years to come.

Medical Weight Loss Done Right!

Dr. Leon Katz

This material is for educational purposes and should be discussed with a medical professional.

Article conceived and written by Dr. Katz, polished with AI.

Sources:

1) Does Metabolically Healthy Obesity Exist? Araceli Muñoz-Garach et al. Nutrients 2016, 8, 320

https://bit.ly/3z0Vnk0

2) Metabolically Healthy Obesity, Matthias Bluher. Endocrine Reviews, June 2020, 41(3) 1-16 https://bit.ly/3Xs3iz0