According to recent national surveillance data, 62% of American women are overweight. Unfortunately, research shows that being overweight is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death. However, more importantly, research also shows that moderate and high levels of cardiorespiratory fitness are associated with a reduction of risk of mortality, regardless of weight status.

Farrell and colleagues (2010) recently showed that fit-overweight and fit-obese (i.e., high fitness levels and higher body mass indices (BMI)) women did not have increased risk of mortality compared to their fit-normal-weight counterparts (i.e., high fitness levels and normal BMI). Unfit-normal-weight women, however, have an increased risk of mortality compared to fit overweight women.

What does this mean for you?

Being healthy does not necessarily equate with a number on the scale. Just because someone is “skinny” does not mean she is healthy. Equally, just because someone is “not skinny” does not mean she is not healthy. What’s most important is being active and fit. So get off the scale and get into the gym, the park, the sidewalk, wherever you can to be active!

Farrell, S.W., Fitzgerald S.J., McAuley P.A., Barlow C.E. (2010) Cardiorespiratory fitness, adiposity, and all-cause mortality in women. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 42 (11), 2006-2012.