Sometimes, a medical study challenges our presumptions. For instance, a recent report suggested that maybe fitness is more important than weight. A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in August 2008 looked at risk factors based on the body weights of 5,440 people age 20 and over. The results suggest that just looking at body weight alone can be misleading since almost 25% of normal weight adults had 2 or more risk factors that are often associated with being overweight and obese. Within the normal weight adults who had 2 or more risk factors, the study showed that older age, physical inactivity and a larger waist size were associated with increased risk.

Approximately 50% of overweight adults and 30% of obese adults had normal or only one risk factor. Of these adults, the study showed that younger age, higher physical activity and a smaller waist size were associated with decreased risk.

This study emphasizes the importance that everyone, of all ages and body sizes, should see their primary care provider to help determine the need for screening for cardiovascular risks. Some of the risk factors in this study included elevated blood pressure, low high density lipoprotein (the “good” cholesterol), elevated triglycerides and blood sugar levels.