Is it when your fasting blood sugar gets over 100?
Is it when your systolic blood pressure gets over 140?
No, because you can be very unhealthy due to obesity yet still have normal blood sugar and blood pressure numbers.
However, you can be certain that your large body is not healthy when you tire quickly; when you dread climbing stairs; when you feel “exhausted” after playing with your young child for 10 minutes; when you’d rather sit on a bench at the park and watch your kids than play with them.
Though thin people could have these same issues, imagine how much worse they’d be if they were obese.
“I know there is conflicting information out there about whether or not you can be fat and also healthy,” says Dr. Tom Carpenter, corrective exercise specialist, certified personal trainer and chiropractor, inventor of Stand Corrected™, a portable harness-like stretching tool that helps alleviate back, neck and shoulder pain.
“I don’t believe that you can,” continues Dr. Carpenter. “For example, people who are overweight can be susceptible to an exaggerated lower back curve, also known as swayback, due to weaker core muscles and additional belly fat.
“This shifts more of the body’s weight onto the lumbar spine, causing a risk of joint damage, which may lead to arthritis as well as potentially causing damage to the discs.”
Diabetes
The absence of diabetes does not mean a plus-size person is healthy. Nor does the absence of high blood pressure.
Absence of a medical condition does not mean absence of a high risk for that condition.
“Fat” and “Healthy” Don’t Go Hand-in-Hand
Dr. Carpenter explains, “In a study from the Institute of Applied Health and Research at the University of Birmingham of over 3.5 million people, the data showed that when you’re fat or obese, there is an increased risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes, compared to those with a healthy weight.
“If you want to have a healthy weight, make sure you have healthy body composition.
“This includes a BMI of 25 or less, as well as proper body fat, free fat mass (muscle), hydration and basal metabolic rate.
“These numbers can be easily monitored on a reliable body composition scale and give a much clearer picture of your overall health than simply stepping on a standard scale.”
Photo credit: Aleesia Forni
Based upon 30+ years of experience, Dr. Carpenter’s practice approach reflects his belief that restoring optimum health and function will enable his patients to enjoy a much greater amount of vitality and wellness. Chiropractic care is true health care, not sick care!
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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