More than a quarter of middle-aged women in the UK are ‘fit but fat’ and should still lose weight, researchers say

More than a quarter of middle-aged women in Britain are ‘fit but fat’, researchers say, as they call for more efforts to help people reduce their weight.

Academics say there are large regional differences in levels of ‘metabolically healthy obesity’, which may be related to different diets or other lifestyle factors, as well as ethnic and genetic differences.

People who are ‘fit but fat’ – which includes almost one in ten middle-aged men in Britain – are considered obese based on their body mass index (BMI) score, but have none of the complications associated with obesity, including abnormal blood sugar levels; high cholesterol; high bloodpressure; type 2 diabetes or other signs of heart disease.

The UK has similar levels to Sweden, Norway and Germany, experts say.

The highest rates of metabolically healthy obesity are observed in France and other Mediterranean countries such as Italy and Israel, experts told the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes.

One study found that 8 percent of men and 27 percent of women in Britain aged 40 to 50 were living with ‘metabolically healthy obesity’.

Asked how many people in Britain have been affected, Professor Matthias Bluher from the University of Leipzig and Helmholtz Center Munich in Germany said: ‘It (UK) is very similar to the situation in Sweden, Norway and Germany.

‘There are populations in Micronesia or Asia where it is only 2 to 5 percent.

‘Some populations, despite large amounts of adipose tissue, may be better protected against comorbidities and white populations are among these.’

Professor Bluher said healthy obesity is seen in some pre-menopausal women.

It comes as Professor Bluher called for better weight management programs for people who fit the profile.

The highest rates of metabolically healthy obesity are observed in France and other Mediterranean countries such as Italy and Israel, experts said.

He pointed to previous research showing that people who are “healthily obese” have a higher risk of coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and heart failure compared to people of normal weight.

“There will always be people who are obese and who appear to be protected from obesity-related cardiometabolic diseases,” he told the conference.

‘The concept that people who are metabolically healthy obese may not benefit from weight loss strategies is being challenged by recent data.

‘Timely and personalized treatment of obesity should also be recommended to healthier overweight people.’