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A Chronic High-Intensity Interval Training and Diet-Induced Obesity Model to Maximize Exercise Effort and Induce Physiologic Changes in Rats

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Healthy obesity.

Rachel P Wildman¹

¹Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA. rwildman@aecom.yu.edu

Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care

|May 29, 2009

Summary

Approximately 30% of obese individuals maintain healthy cardiometabolic profiles, showing no increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Research into the mechanisms behind this healthy obese phenotype is ongoing.

Area of Science:

Cardiology
Metabolic Health
Obesity Medicine

Background:

The 'healthy obese' phenotype describes individuals with excess adipose tissue but favorable cardiometabolic risk factors.
Understanding this phenotype is crucial given the rising prevalence of obesity and associated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the epidemiology of the healthy obese phenotype.
To discuss the associated risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
To explore potential biological mechanisms underlying the healthy obese state.

Main Methods:

Literature review of studies examining the 'healthy obese' phenotype.
Analysis of epidemiological data on obesity and CVD risk.
Discussion of biological and metabolic factors contributing to the phenotype.

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Main Results:

An estimated 30% of obese individuals exhibit a healthy cardiometabolic profile.
The healthy obese phenotype does not appear to confer an increased risk of incident CVD events compared to at-risk obese individuals.
Adipose tissue distribution, metabolic characteristics, and ectopic fat presence may define the healthy obese phenotype.
Weight loss in healthy obese individuals may negatively impact their favorable cardiometabolic profile.

Conclusions:

The healthy obese phenotype is prevalent and associated with no increased risk of CVD.
Further research is required to elucidate the mechanisms protecting these individuals from CVD despite excess adiposity.
Appropriate weight management strategies for the healthy obese require further investigation.