The Baffling Case of Metabolically Healthy Obese People: Are They Protected From Chronic Disease?

Is metabolically healthy obesity existente?

So is MHO existente and does it protect against disease? There isn’t a yes or no answer yet. The more we learn about it, the more nuance is injected into the concept that one can be perfectly healthy at any size. Based on the information we have so far, only a narrow segment of obese individuals are without risk of developing obesity-related chronic diseases.

We also know a lot more about their characteristics. They have less intestinal fat and more subcutaneous fat. They have less insulin resistance, less inflammation and a metabolically healthy cardiovascular profile. They also have healthy lifestyle habits such as regular exercise and a healthy diet. It seems that genetics play a role as well.

We can expect more insight from major international population studies and clinical trials that are currently underway. But in the meantime, the age-old advice holds truer than ever: regular physical activity and a healthy diet are crucial to maintain health and longevity.

Stan Kubow, Associate Professor, School of Human Nutrition, McGill University and Michele Iskandar, Research Associate and Lecturer, School of Human Nutrition, McGill University

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