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Review
. 2014 Jan-Feb;56(4):382-90.
doi: 10.1016/j.pcad.2013.09.002. Epub 2013 Oct 11.

Fitness vs. fatness on all-cause mortality: a meta-analysis

Vaughn W Barry  1 , Meghan Baruth  2 , Michael W Beets  3 , J Larry Durstine  3 , Jihong Liu  4 , Steven N Blair  5
Affiliations
Review

Fitness vs. fatness on all-cause mortality: a meta-analysis

Vaughn W Barry et al. Prog Cardiovasc Dis. 2014 Jan-Feb.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to quantify the joint association of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and weight status on mortality from all causes using meta-analytical methodology. Studies were included if they were (1) prospective, (2) objectively measured CRF and body mass index (BMI), and (3) jointly assessed CRF and BMI with all-cause mortality. Ten articles were included in the final analysis. Pooled hazard ratios were assessed for each comparison group (i.e. normal weight-unfit, overweight-unfit and -fit, and obese-unfit and -fit) using a random-effects model. Compared to normal weight-fit individuals, unfit individuals had twice the risk of mortality regardless of BMI. Overweight and obese-fit individuals had similar mortality risks as normal weight-fit individuals. Furthermore, the obesity paradox may not influence fit individuals. Researchers, clinicians, and public health officials should focus on physical activity and fitness-based interventions rather than weight-loss driven approaches to reduce mortality risk.

Keywords: All-cause mortality; BMI; Body mass index; CRF; Cardiorespiratory fitness; Fitness and fatness; Obesity paradox; PA; body mass index; cardiorespiratory fitness; physical activity.

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  • Body-mass index and all-cause mortality - Authors' reply.
    Di Angelantonio E, Bhupathiraju SN, Hu FB, Danesh J, Peto R, Lewington S; Global BMI Mortality Collaboration. Di Angelantonio E, et al. Lancet. 2017 Jun 10;389(10086):2285-2286. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(17)31369-7. Lancet. 2017. PMID: 28612745 No abstract available.