Can you be fit and fat at the same time?

Large population studies by researchers such as Steven Blaire found that overweight men who exercised regularly showed a reduced risk of heart disease. Fitness causes improved metabolic health, even in the face of excess fat. Canadian researchers found that fat but fit men have a lower risk of heart disease, because they have less abdominal cavity fat than fat, unfit men. High levels of cardiovascular fitness were linked to reduced gut fat, regardless of the body mass index (BMI, the proportion of weight to height). A large waist and high triglycerides substantially increased the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Men with normal weight but large bellies were particularly at risk.

Regular exercise trims belly fat and boosts health — even in people who are overweight or obese.

(taken from Muscular Development Magazine, November 2007)