Want to live longer? Prioritize your physical fitness.
According to a recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, physical fitness is more important than weight when it comes to heart health and longevity. Researchers analyzed data from nearly 400,000 people and found that regardless of body mass index (BMI), physically fit people had similar risk of death from any cause.
The data also revealed that having a normal weight alone does not compensate for being physically unfit. Unfit individuals with BMIs in the normal range had a higher risk of death than physically fit individuals at any BMI, including those in the overweight or obese range.
In a statement to Health Magazine, senior study author Siddhartha Angadi, PhD, noted that being physically unfit carries significantly greater health risks than carrying a few extra pounds. Instead of viewing exercise solely as a means to burn calories and lose weight, he encourages people to engage in physical activity for its health benefits, which can be enjoyed even without changes in weight.
The study provides further evidence that the BMI scale is flawed and potentially unhelpful. According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the use of BMI in clinical care offers few benefits. It introduces considerable risks, including decreased health care access, mistrust between patients and providers, and lower quality of care.
