'Fat and Fit?'--Study Debunks Myth on Health and Extra Pounds

Unfortunately, it may not be possible to have your cake and eat it, too.

What are we referring to, exactly? Well, a recent analysis debunks the myth that there's such a thing as "healthy obesity."

In a data analisis of over 61,000 patients from eight different studies, Toronto researchers discovered that it can be particularly difficult to lead a healthy life while overweight or obese, even with normal health readings.

"Our research findings challenge the myth that there is such a thing as healthy obesity if people maintain normal-range readings of cholesterol, blood glucose, and blood pressure," Ravi Retnakaran, an endocrinologist at the Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital, via a press release.

Researchers note that even with no metabolic issues, including high cholesterol or hypertension, obese individuals carried a much higher risk for premature death-even as great as 24 percent higher than for those of normal weight.

"The findings of increased risk of death or cardiovascular events for obese individuals suggest that gaining excess weight is associated with risk that may accumulate over time, even before metabolic and cardiovascular signs become apparent in tests," Retnakaran added. "This is a signal to general practioners to guide their obese patients to weight loss, regardless of lab tests."

Obesity can pose many health problems for those carrying excess weight. For instance, as the body mass index rises, so do the risk for coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, type 2 diabetes, cancer, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, gallstones and many other issues.

More information regarding the study can be found via the Annals of Internal Medicine.