Being in shape is better for longevity than being thin, new study shows. A comprehensive review found that being out of shape greatly increased the risk of dying prematurely — regardless of age or body mass index. Being in shape is far more crucial for a long, healthy life than being slim.
Experts have long known that fat, active people can be healthier than their skinny, inactive counterparts. ``Normal-weight persons who are sedentary and unfit are at much higher risk for mortality than obese persons who are active and fit,'' said Dr. Steven Blair, an obesity expert at the University of South Carolina.
Contrary to popular belief, thin female figures were neither perceived most attractive nor assigned many desirable personality traits, except youthfulness. The measure of body fat distribution, the WHR, was found to be the critical variable associated with attractiveness.
Getting fit not only makes you look sexy, it also makes you feel sexy by balancing the body's sex hormone levels, which in turn can improve the appearance of hair, skin and muscle tone. Being fit is attractive.
The Bottom Line. Both obesity and being out of shape increases your chances for a number of diseases and early death. However, the person who is lean but doesn't exercise regularly may not be in such good health after all. Being active and fit is good for you regardless of your body size.
Facial fat significantly impacts facial attractiveness, as it can alter the shape and contours of the face, leading to a less defined appearance. Weight gain can result in a puffier face with rounded features and a less prominent jawline, while weight loss can enhance facial angles and create a more sculpted look.
Heterosexual women tend to be attracted to men who are taller than them and who display a high degree of facial symmetry, masculine facial dimorphism, upper body strength, broad shoulders, a relatively narrow waist, and a V-shaped torso.
Exercise improves mood
Physical activity stimulates many brain chemicals that may leave you feeling happier, more relaxed and less anxious. You also may feel better about your appearance and yourself when you exercise regularly, which can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem.
“We can be somewhat heartened by the fact that the effects of general intelligence on income were stronger than those of facial attractiveness,” said Judge. “It turns out that the brainy are not necessarily at a disadvantage to the beautiful, and if one possesses intelligence and good looks, then all the better.”
More importantly, men prefer girls with curves, as they feel more comfortable and secure when hugging or holding hands. And compared to skinny girls, chubby girls are more likely to be seen as sexy and feminine. Many men actually prefer girls with curves, as they think such girls are more lovable and charming.
CDC further recommends that you need to lose around 5-10% of your total body weight to notice changes. For instance, if you weigh 170 pounds, you need to lose roughly 8.3-17 pounds to notice a difference. The results should also be measured after at least three months, for certainty.
Recommendation: If you aim for a look that's fashionable yet easy-going, slim jeans is the better option. Skinny jeans would be more suitable if you're targeting a trendier and more eye-catching look.
Learn the Health Benefits of Regular Exercise
It can reduce your risk of heart disease and some cancers. It can make you less likely to suffer a fall through improved balance and strength. It can help you sleep better. It improves your mental health and mood and helps keep your brain sharp.
Researchers from the University of Essex found 14 “skinny genes” that may work together to assist with weight loss. Despite having these genes, scientists say that diet and other lifestyle factors are still vital for losing and maintaining a healthy weight.
Regular exercise, combined with proper nutrition, helps improve cardiovascular health, builds muscle, increases flexibility, and optimizes body composition. Together, these improvements make you not only look better but also feel stronger, more energized, and more capable.
Being active can also help to slow or manage chronic disease and to delay death. For older adults who are managing a diagnosis, exercising with chronic conditions can improve quality of life and reduce the risk of developing new health conditions.
Regular exercise leads to improved wellbeing. Research suggests that regular exercise may be effective in preventing depression and also in treating mild depression.
Among all adults aged 18 and over, 24.2% met the guidelines for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities, 22.7% met only the guidelines for aerobic activity, 6.8% met only the guidelines for muscle-strengthening activity, and 46.3% did not meet the guidelines for either type of activity (Figure 1).
Beauty in proportion
A lower WHR, around 0.7, is linked to higher attractiveness - it's basically the typical hourglass figure with a cinched waist and a voluminous upper and lower body. Evolutionary psychology suggests that this ratio may serve as a visual cue for health and fertility.
Studies show that men generally find female bodies with a BMI in the range of 18.5 to 24.9 to be most appealing.
Six-pack abs are seen as a sign of strength and excellent physical fitness that many women and men find attractive. The fact that elite athletes often sport a visible six-pack perpetuates that belief, but we also have movies, TV and social media to thank for it.
Re et al.) found that people notice changes in their faces if they lose around 1.33 points of their BMI score. For people of average height, this amounts to a loss of around 8 or 9 lbs. Losing 30 lbs should be noticeable to most people.
And, if you're into big goals, you may wonder if it's safe to lose 10 pounds in a month. Here's the truth: The average person cannot safely lose 10 pounds in a month, says Michael Glickman, MD, a board-certified family medicine and obesity medicine physician and founder of Revolution Medicine, Health and Fitness.
Ladies may be drawn to skinny guys because they tend to live longer and be healthier than heavier guys, and because they may perceive skinny guys as more confident. You can feel (and therefore become) more attractive by practicing personal grooming, exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, and smiling.