Tag: Normal weight obesity

According to a 2017 paper, individuals with a normal weight but poor metabolic health have three times the risk of heart disease compared to those who are metabolically healthy. This statistic shatters the common misconception that a normal BMI is a reliable indicator of good health.

According to a study published in the *Journal of the American Medical Association*, nearly one in four people considered 'skinny' or of normal weight may actually be 'metabolically obese,' or have what is known as an invisible fat body type. This phenomenon, where an individual appears slender on the outside but carries a high percentage of fat internally, poses significant hidden health risks that often go undetected.

Studies show that a significant percentage of adults with a normal Body Mass Index (BMI) can still have dangerous levels of abdominal obesity, a condition also known as 'normal-weight central obesity'. This critical distinction means focusing on BMI alone can provide a false sense of security regarding your health.

According to a 2021 study, the 'thin-fat Indian' phenotype is common in South Asia, characterized by a normal BMI but disproportionately high body fat percentage. This phenomenon, often termed the thin fat Indian paradox, describes individuals who appear outwardly thin but possess significant health-compromising internal fat, leading to increased risk for metabolic diseases.

Studies indicate that up to 20% of people with a 'normal' Body Mass Index (BMI) might be metabolically unhealthy, revealing that yes, you can eat unhealthy and still be skinny, but it comes with serious, hidden health risks known as 'Normal Weight Obesity'.