Select language, opens an overlay

Comment

The Obesity Paradox

When Thinner Means Sicker and Heavier Means Healthier
ksoles
Aug 19, 2014ksoles rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Could carrying a few extra pounds actually lead to a healthier, longer life? Such an assertion seems almost sacrilege amid today's onslaught of diets and exercise programs that promise a perfect, thin body. But, in "The Obesity Paradox," cardiologist Carl Lavie presents a well-researched, easily understood analysis of body fat and the functions it plays in the human body. After examining the obvious dangers of excess body fat (increased strain on the heart, high blood pressure, and increased risk for diseases like diabetes), Lavie reveals the advantages of carrying a little extra weight. Unlike overweight people, who carry energy reserves in their fat cells, a thin person has no cushion when he/she falls ill or when an accident occurs. Lavie asserts that the key to optimal health lies in balancing body fat with moderate physical fitness. "If you had to choose between fitness and thinness," he writes, "it looks like it's much more important to maintain your fitness than your svelte waistline...fitness appears to be a lot more protective than a low weight." In other words, being metabolically fit despite extra weight indicates good health more so than being thin (i.e. looking healthy) but having hidden health risks. After presenting some intriguing data, Lavie neatly summarizes his explorations in ten principles that help readers digest these counterintuitive notions. Ultimately, he provides comprehensible, practical advice that shuns yo-yo dieting and exhaustive exercise regimens for a more lenient lifestyle, opening the door to a new understanding of optimum weight and health.