Being fit will NOT help the obese lower the risk of heart disease or cancer
FAT people who are fit still face a greater risk of heart disease or cancer than their unfit but normally sized counterparts, a new study has found.
Theories that obese people who kept fit could still lead a long life were myths, the Swedish survey reported.
A study followed more than 1.3million young men into middle age. It found that fit obese people were 30 per cent more likely to die prematurely.
They were compared with normal-sized counterparts who did little exercise.
Unfit normal-weight individuals had a 30 per cent lower risk of death from any cause than fit obese individuals
Scientists say the findings, published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, show that weight is by far the most important factor for healthy teenagers.
Professor Peter Nordstrom, of Umea university, said the findings challenged the modern notion that obese people can live longer by being fit.
Obesity: The facts
He said: "Unfit normal-weight individuals had a 30 per cent lower risk of death from any cause than fit obese individuals.
"These results suggest low body mass index early in life is more important than high physical fitness."
