'Health Obesity': The Myth Behind the Juxtaposition

Is it possible to be healthy and obese? A recent study conducted by researchers from the Cleveland Clinic sums it up: No.

"People have been trying to work out whether there is a group of people that are obese and healthy," said Dr. Rishi Puri, via Health Day. He is the medical director of the atherosclerosis imaging core laboratory at the Cleveland Clinic

After examining 14,000 male and female participants between the ages of 30 and 59, findings showed that overweight or obese participants were at an increased risk for heart disease and stroke.

Though some of the obese patients had normal blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels, many factors relating to excess weight often contributed to abnormal readings over time.

"Obese individuals who are considered 'healthy' because they don't currently have heart disease risk factors should not be assumed healthy by their doctors," said study researcher Dr. Yoosoo Chang, a professor at Sungkyunkwan University, School of Medicine in Seoul, via The Huffington Post.

Many of the obese patients also had more plaque buildup in their arteries, which increased their risk for cardiovascular issues.

"We have an enormous challenge at a public health and individual level in dealing with obesity-related disorders. Being obese doesn't just affect the heart. Being obese means you're more likely to have joint disease, psychiatric disorders and cancers," Puri added, via Health Day.

Obesity and health-related issues also drive many care costs throughout the United States, as well as other countries. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that around one-third of the adult U.S. population is obese, health care costs relating to heart disease, diabetes and cancer, among others, ran around $147 billion, according to a 2008 report.

These findings connect to a recent review of 12 studies that highlighted how "healthy" obese individuals are at a 24 percent higher risk for health problems, particularly relating to heart attack and stroke, than normal-weight individuals.

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.