MYTH: Skinny equal Fit

In the world of super-models, being thin is superb. For me, I never liked the thin look, but the fit look. Of course, that is just a personal preference.

The purpose of this article is explain that just because you're thin, it doesn't mean you're fit. For nearly a decade, I have been testing body fat of men and women. Many of them were thin. However, their body fat was just as high of that of those that would be considered obese. This especially more likely to be the case with women.  These types of individuals are coined as"skinny fat." Some of those I tested were in disbelief and flabbergasted.

The BMI Myth:  A study at the University of South Carolina has shown that this phenomenon as fact (related article). It has long been considered that weight and body mass indexing (BMI) were sufficient in determining health risks. Most of your diet centers and doctors offices only look at these numbers. However, BMI has been documented to only be right 50% of the time.

"Skinny Fat" is Unhealthy (urban dictionary definition):  Though I have found that external fat (fat just underneath the skin also called adipose tissue) can be very high in skinny individuals, this study shows that internal fat (fat in muscles and intra-abdominal fat) can be very high as well. This means the risks of heart disease, diabetes, and other diseases associated to obesity can be just as high in non-exercising thin people. The study also states that active "overweight" individuals can be at less risk of disease.

Weak Muscles and Weak Bones (Osteoporosis):  Often times, if you're "skinny fat" it is because you've done chronic dieting or simply do not eat enough.  A lack of nutrition in all forms leads to muscle loss which leads to a decrease in metabolism.   Weight shouldn't matter.  Inevitably, your bones begin to deteriorate too.  A lack of proper nutrition and resistance training greatly increases your chances for osteoporosis.

The point that needs to be taken from this is that weight is not the tell all, end all, factor to being fit. Often times, people who are "skinny fat" judge their health and fitness solely on weight.  Instead of weight, what you have to consider is body composition, strength, cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, etc. At the end of the day, you can be skinny, but that doesn't mean you can run a mile any better or decrease your risks of chronic disease.

written by

Kelly Huggins, A-CPT

Exercise Science, B.S.

NPTI Instructor

Fitness/Nutrition Coach