CHICAGO – According to new study about 50% of obese adult have normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and astoundingly the percentage of slim people suffer from some of the ills related with obesity is also the same.

The first national estimate supports the argument that you can be bulky but still fit, or at least healthier than has been supposed.

The author Mary Fran Sowers, a University of Michigan obesity researcher said “the results also show that stereotypes about body size can be ambiguous and that even less voluptuous people can have risk factors commonly associated with obesity.”He further said “We’re really talking about taking a look with a very different lens” at weight and health risks.

The study shows the 50% of 36 million adults in the all over the country mostly have normal cholesterol level, blood pressure, triglycerides and blood sugar.

About 20 million overweight adults exist in this healthy range, the measure shows that none or only one of those was nonstandard.

At least 16 million adults are at risk for heart disease due to their unhealthy level of weight.

Sowers said “It’s no secret that thin people can develop heart-related problems and that fat people often do not. But that millions defy the stereotypes will come as a surprise to many people.”

According to Judith Wylie-Rosett co-author the study does not send the message “that we don’t need to worry about weight.” because 50% overweight people do face high risks for heart disease.”

The risk factors for heart problems were generally more common in 50 to 65 age, smokers and inactive people.

Wylie-Rosett said “fat tissue releases hormones and other substances that influence like blood vessels, cholesterol and blood sugar mostly in obese people.”

Dr. Lewis Landsberg, obesity expert, point out that the research didn’t look at heart disease, and that not everyone with high risk factors develops heart problems. But study shows that waist measurements can help assess health.

Relevant Links:

• Archives of Internal Medicine, a bimonthly peer-reviewed medical journal published by AMA
• American Heart Association, Inc.