How do you feel about the relationship between overall health and body weight?
Question by Kinz: How do you feel about the relationship between overall health and body weight?
We live in a society which sends VERY mixed messages about weight. On the one hand, you have fitness trainers and celebrities claiming that any excess body fat or any flab is not only unsightly but also unhealthy. Then, you have the studies which show a correlation between severe calorie restriction and a longer lifespan. On the other side of the fence you have a BMI calculator which is fairly lenient in many ways (for instance, at 5 feet 8, I can weight up to 164 pounds before I am considered overweight; that’s a lot of leeway!). You also have another, separate group of celebs, Tyra Banks, Jennifer Hudson, etc, who claim a little extra junk in the trunk is not only sexy but also healthy. I just wonder: what do you believe? I mean, of course, moderation is key, but, in the end, do you personally believe it’s healthier to be a little underweight or a little overweight? Clearly, many personal trainers believe it’s better to err on the lower end of your BMI (I mean, look at workout fanatics like Kelly Ripa; she’s underweight for sure and yet I guarantee she is a trainer’s dream), while doctors claim you can move up the BMI and still be okay. What’s your take on all the back and forth going on? I’m torn…I don’t know if I should obsess about those last ten pounds I want to lose (a trainer would say I should!) or if I should embrace my extra curves.
Best answer:
Answer by virtual insanity
I would rather be a little underweight than a little overweight. I read the study linking low body weight to longevity and found it surprising. I have always been slightly underweight. For me, it is a matter of preference. I know I have a healthy diet. I know I am active. I also know I have a strong genetic link to cancer, heart disease and diabetes. So, I am more comfortable on the low side of my BMI than the high. However, I don’t think its healthy to diet your whole life away…so those who are a few pounds above healthy might just be better off embracing the weight. Mentally and emotionally (as well as physically, in say the heart), we compromise our health with all the dieting and obsessing. I think finding a healthy lifestyle that is maintainable is highly preferable to obsessing over every inch, pound and jean’s size.
So, imo, love those extra curves.
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Comments on How do you feel about the relationship between overall health and body weight?
it is true that muscle to body fat ratio is a good measure of health (body fat percentage)
but this implies lots of muscle bulk.
therefore it is (as muscle weighs more than fat) true that a good solid muscular body with enough, but little fat is healthier and probably a bit heavier than a ajust ver slender person.
so the trainer would probably want you to loose FAT but gain MUSCLE
but you have to remember, you may be very very fit in theory but not so sexy to blokes
also it is a full time effort to stay that way and can lead to injuries or body problems later in life.
yes, natural curves are sexy and healthy but a trainer will go for perfection of health and not prioritise your appeal and attractiveness to others. that is what they are paid for i suppose. body temple glory etc.
so overall, healthy BMI but low body fat with high muscle. means fit
better to be muscluarly overweght than underweight BUT flabby overweight not so good although may be more sexy if correct shape.
i also agree with your points…i cant answer it all!!
but underweight is bad-not enough muslce to be fit gotta get the FAT balance right. although fat is the sex appeal. just a healthyu bmi with regular exersize should ensure a good ratio and a few curves for the men
as long as you eat healthy you will please the docs, although trainers want no fat to ensure a body that is as fit as it can be…..just maybe not so sexy……