Why “Skinny Fat” Can Be Worse than Obesity

Mar 17, 2023

Delve into the startling realities of being 'skinny fat'—those who appear slim yet face serious health issues. Uncover how low muscle mass and belly fat can elevate risks comparable to obesity. Discover shocking statistics about metabolic health that everyone should know. Get practical strategies to boost your metabolism and enhance overall well-being, proving that weight alone isn’t the full picture of health.

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INSIGHT

Skinny Fat vs. Overweight

Being overweight is a significant health concern, but being "skinny fat" is equally dangerous.
Many individuals maintain a normal weight while harboring unhealthy metabolic profiles.

INSIGHT

TOFI and its Risks

TOFI, or "thin on the outside, fat on the inside," individuals face similar health risks as overweight people.
Thin diabetics may experience higher complication risks compared to overweight diabetics.

INSIGHT

Appearance vs. Metabolic Health

A thin appearance doesn't guarantee metabolic health; internal factors matter significantly.
Skinny fat individuals often exhibit metabolic markers resembling prediabetic or diabetic individuals.

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This episode is brought to you by Rupa Health and Athletic Greens.

It’s no secret that being overweight or obese can increase your risk for numerous health problems, including stroke, some cancers, heart disease, and depression. What many people don’t realize, however, is that we can suffer all these problems even if we’re normal weight or underweight. Scientists have even coined a phrase for this phenomenon: “thin on the outside, fat on the inside,” or TOFI. Instead of being “overweight,” these people are “under-lean” (i.e., they don’t have enough muscle) and have a little extra weight around the middle, or “belly fat.” TOFIs have the metabolic features of a prediabetic obese person: Low muscle mass, inflammation, high triglycerides, low good cholesterol, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure.

In today’s episode of my series I’m calling Health Bites, I am talking about “skinny fat,” why it can be worse than obesity, and how to address it.

This episode is brought to you by Rupa Health and Athletic Greens.

Rupa Health is a place where Functional Medicine practitioners can access more than 2,000 specialty lab tests from over 35 labs like DUTCH, Vibrant America, Genova, and Great Plains. You can check out a free, live demo with a Q&A or create an account at RupaHealth.com.

AG1 contains 75 high-quality vitamins, minerals, whole-food sourced superfoods, probiotics, and adaptogens to support your entire body. Right now, when you purchase AG1 from Athletic Greens you will receive 10 FREE travel packs with your first purchase by visiting athleticgreens.com/hyman.

Here are more details from our interview (audio version / Apple Subscriber version):

Ninety-three percent of people are metabolically unhealthy (3:03 / 00:56)
Risks associated with being TOFI (4:40 / 2:25)
Body composition testing (7:06 / 4:55)
The first steps to take if you fall into the category of TOFI (8:16 / 6:05)
The benefits of strength training (9:25 / 7:11)
Addressing food sensitivities (10:40 / 8:28)
Stress management techniques (11:00 / 8:47)
Additional strategies to address TOFI (11:11 / 9:00)

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