Experts agree that you can live in a larger body and still be fit and healthy, but that does not mean weight plays zero role in the complex story of certain conditions. “Obesity is tied to chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease and some cancers,” says says Sharon D.
Plus-size individuals can come in all shapes and sizes, and may or may not have a high body fat percentage. Just because someone is plus-size does not mean they are unhealthy, and just because someone is not plus-size does not mean they are healthy.
Yet research suggests it's possible to carry a lot of weight and still be 100 per cent healthy, or at least free of the health risks typically associated with a lot of weight gain. One recent study concluded that as many as one in two who were classified as overweight by BMI were actually 'metabolically healthy'.
Can you be healthy and overweight? While being overweight does carry an increased risk of some health-related problems and diseases, in short — yes, you can be overweight and still healthy.
New research suggests that people with obesity can enjoy good cardiovascular health as long as they keep physically fit. Also, for those with severe obesity, keeping fit may be just as important as losing weight.
While it's clear weight training burns fat better than cardio, cardio training may target the waistline more specifically than lifting weights. That's a huge benefit, as many people are actively seeking to cut inches around the midsection. Exercise, no matter the type, burns calories, which is good for fat loss.
Measuring one's BMI, however, is debated as many believe it's not the most accurate means of measuring a person's health. BMI doesn't take into account factors such as age, ethnicity, and muscle mass.
A myriad of factors can contribute to unintentional weight gain among individuals who believe they're eating wholesome foods. It's not just what you eat, but how much, and when. Even the amount of sleep you get each night can affect your weight.
You're eating too many calories.
Even if you're eating healthy, in order to lose weight you must be in a calorie deficit. Just eating all healthy food will not lead to weight loss if you're not working out and still taking in more calories than you burn.
Health At Every Size® (HAES®) is an approach to health policy and care that supports people of all sizes to take care of their health and well-being, without weight stigma. We provide evidence-informed resources for community members and training for health and fitness professionals.
Physical Strength
The 20s and 30s are peak performance periods — the apex of physical competence. “Elite athletes are mostly in their 20s and 30s,” Dr. Frishman points out. “As hardy as we may feel as teens, that's not the age of best-ever health.
A slim and muscular body signifies that a person is physically fit. However, if the person is eating lots of unhealthy food and burning calories with a disciplined exercise regime to maintain particular physical features, that may not be an indicator of good health.
The results were clear: the average Australian woman wears a size 16-18, making her officially 'plus-size'. According to the size charts, someone with a waist measurement of 88cm would fall between a size 16 and 18 at 45% of the brands while 20% would wear a size 18 and 30% a size 16.
The application of the term varies from country to country, and according to which industry the person is involved in. According to PLUS Model magazine, "In the fashion industry, plus size is identified as sizes 18 and over, or sizes 1X-6X and extended size as 7X and up".
Can You Gain Weight From Not Eating Enough? Undereating may cause weight gain for some people, but even if it doesn't, it's important not to eat so little that it adversely affects your health. From constipation to immune dysfunction, not eating enough can lead to a host of health issues.
When you have a slow metabolism, your body doesn't convert food into energy in sufficient quantities. So most of the food you eat is stored in the form of fats. This is the main reason why some people get fat even though they don't eat much.
Someone might simply have a higher BMR/metabolism, meaning they require more calories throughout the day. Yes, genetics do play a role to some extent, and someone might naturally have a higher metabolism.
You're Into the Wrong Foods
Unhealthy eating is the biggest driver of big bellies. Too many starchy carbohydrates and bad fats are a recipe for that midsection to expand. Instead, get plenty of veggies, choose lean proteins, and stay away from fats from red meats.
BMI doesn't account for body composition, which means it misses the difference between muscle mass and fat. Because muscles are more dense and heavier than fat, bodybuilders and other professional athletes like football players are often considered obese or overweight based on their BMI alone.
One of the main issues with BMI is that it cannot account for the difference between muscle and fat. Because muscle tissue is more dense than fat, many athletes and bodybuilders are considered overweight according to BMI despite being in peak athletic health.
One easily forgotten reason is that your weight only indicates your body mass index (BMI), not your body composition, which is the amount of muscle versus fat you have on your body. Your body composition makes a huge difference in what you look like even though it can't be measured by the scale.
If you're overweight, focus on activities that put minimal stress on your joints, like walking, swimming, or water exercises.