Skinny fats: Why being skinny isn’t at all times wholesome

We’ve at all times related well being with trying a sure approach – skinny. It’s a straightforward hyperlink to make after we’ve been informed that weight problems is a serious threat issue for over 200 metabolically linked illnesses corresponding to Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular illnesses, stroke, hypertension, fatty liver illness and sure cancers. 

But optimum well being can – and does – exist in a large spectrum of physique sizes and shapes. From the highly effective physiques of weightlifters to the lean figures of yoga practitioners, well being will not be just for these with a Victoria’s Secret mannequin’s proportions. In truth, being slender doesn’t essentially imply you’ve aced your well being report card. (More on that shortly.)

A key indicator of excellent well being will not be the dimensions you put on however what your well being report says for markers like ldl cholesterol, blood stress and blood sugar ranges. Even medical doctors would prescribe embracing physique positivity, that’s, accepting all physique varieties, no matter dimension and form. 

“Body positivity only becomes problematic when it justifies declining health,” stated Dr Lim Wee Peng, Parkway Shenton’s medical director. “Reconsider body positivity when excess weight limits your mobility, causes pain or leads to abnormal blood tests. Ultimately, it’s about adding years to your life and life to your years.” 

That means not utilizing physique positivity to ignore extra weight that contributes to circumstances corresponding to Type 2 diabetes. Or conversely, intentionally gaining mass to fit your health targets. Here’s a have a look at how sure actions to vary or preserve your physique can have an effect on your well being. 

SKINNY FAT

Friends and colleagues envy how simply you possibly can slip into dimension S garments. On prime of that, your weighing balance and calculated physique mass index are trying good, too. But at your final well being test, your physician warned you about your excessive threat for diabetes, stroke and heart problems. Just what’s going on? 

You could also be “skinny fat” or what’s medically referred to as regular weight weight problems (NWO). It is characterised by having a excessive physique fats share (regardless of having a traditional BMI), low muscle mass and ‘weak’ bones.

“NWO is dangerous because visceral fat (that is, fat stored around internal organs) triggers chronic inflammation and insulin resistance,” stated Dr Yee Szemen, who heads Ng Teng Fong General Hospital’s Division of Endocrinology. 

“These individuals are unknowingly exposed to Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, dyslipidaemia (an abnormal level of cholesterol or fat in the blood), and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (liver fat accumulation, formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease).”