The Washington Post reports that a new study done by the Harvard School of Public Health suggests that while physical activity can compensate some for being overweight, the healthiest people are those who are both thin and physically active.
In essence, the study reaches the startling conclusion that being inactive and fat is the worst, and that being thin and inactive or fat and active is just bad.
In essence, the study reaches the startling conclusion that being inactive and fat is the worst, and that being thin and inactive or fat and active is just bad.
- KC's View:
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Once again, amazingly common sensical news from a study that probably cost millions to conduct.
But maybe we’re just being cynical.
Though when we read piece in the Post we did think immediately that people who are heavy but active probably rationalize their behavior by pointing to the fact that they jog or work out. (Gosh, that seems vaguely familiar…)
Reminded us of that scene from “The Big Chill” when the Jeff Goldblum character says something like, “I don't know anyone who could get through the day without two or three juicy rationalizations. They're more important than sex.” And the Tom Berenger character replies that there’s nothing more important than sex…and Goldblum retorts: “Oh yeah? Ever gone a week without a rationalization?”
Still, there was one excellent point made in the Post piece – that obesity is a symptom, not the root problem. It’s entirely possible that we all spend too much time discussing symptoms, when we should be addressing the real issues that contribute to people being overweight or obese.
