Individuals suffering from obesity may not be unhealthy: Study

Turns out that an individual suffering from obesity may not be necessarily unhealthy. Even those with severe levels of obesity may have overall health profiles similar to that of a moderately weighted person.

A Canadian Institute of Health Research-led study has revealed a close relationship between cardio-respiratory fitness and metabolic risk factors in a population affected with mild to severe obesity levels.

The study - led by Jennifer Kuk and Dr Sean Wharton - was conducted on a group of 853 Canadian patients. 41 % of these subjects had mild obesity though high fitness levels, while 25 % of moderately obese and 11 % of severely obese were found to be fit.

The rest of the individuals with severe obesity were more likely to be affected by lifestyle diseases such as high blood pressure, glucose and triglycerides.

?Doing 150 minutes of exercise per week, as per physical activity guidelines, generally translates to less than half a pound of weight loss. Nevertheless, this amount of exercise can mean dramatic improvements in health for those with severe obesity?, said Professor Jennifer Kuk.

The study further suggested that individuals with a body mass index higher than 40 could still be fit and healthy.

The study was published in a journal named BMC Obesity.

In November 2017, another study said midnight snacking and media addiction has triggered obesity among young kids and teenagers, a survey by a private hospital has revealed. The survey conducted by Max Hospital on 1,000 parents of overweight and obese children in the national Capital suggested midnight munching and media addiction go hand in hand.

"Technology dependence triggers eating pattern among the children and adolescent girls are more addicted to it than boys," said Dr Pradeep Chowbey, Chairman, Department of Minimal Access, Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery at Max Healthcare.

According to the survey, over 50 per cent children access TV, mobile or any other electronic device while eating food, and the usage of electronic devices is highest among adolescents -- 64.4 per cent. On the one hand, parents are using food as a reward/ means to distract their children; while on the other hand, peer pressure, social media and advertising, academic stress and mood swings are playing havoc with the eating choices of the kids.