Heavy and Healthy: Obese Can Be as Fit as Thin

Overweight doesn’t necessarily mean unhealthy, two new studies report—nor does thin always mean fit. In a survey of 5,400 men and women, 51% of participants who were overweight and 31.7% who were obese checked out with healthy heart indicators—normal blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and other measures. But 23% of those at normal weight had at least two poor results, Reuters reports.

Researchers believe fat location may be key. People with more fat on their livers and other internal organs seem to be at higher risk than those who wear their bulk on the outside. Potbellies—often a sign of fatty abdominal organs—were present even among thin study participants with unhealthy test results. (More obesity stories.)