The Skinny: Am I Normal Weight Obese?

Normal weight obesity. Huh? That doesn't even sound right. I was watching "Good Morning America" as part of my usual morning routine when they mentioned an upcoming segment on normal weight obesity. My ears immediately perked up thinking how hard I've fought to stay far, far away from the word obesity -- but here it is mentioned right next to my life's goal, normal weight. Having seen the words morbidly obese written on more doctor's charts than I care to admit, obesity behind normal weight made me feel some kind of way. A bad way. In all of my dieting, surgeries and exercise, there's no way I could possibly still be considered obese. Or is there?

Normal weight obesity (NWO) is defined as excessive body fat associated with a normal body mass index (BMI). The participant on GMA, Monika Sumpter, had lost 50 pounds but had a higher percent of body fat in relation to her weight which deemed her normal weight obese. A study done by the Mayo Clinic found that people with normal BMI who had the highest percentage of body fat were also those who had metabolic disturbances linked to heart disease. The researchers use the phrase "normal weight obesity" to describe a new type of patient at risk for metabolism problems and risk factors for heart disease, but who rates as "normal" on standard weight charts. They defined normal weight obesity as a condition of having a normal BMI with high body fat percentage.

After hearing the story on GMA and the study results from the Mayo Clinic, I decided to find out my BMI. At my highest weight my BMI was 66. When I calculated it today, I got a big warning by way of my results, "High risk: Your risk of premature death and disability is greater than normal due to your weight and other factors." I had to laugh when I saw it because if weighing 400 pounds didn't kill me, who's afraid of the big bad wolf of 180. Not me. That's not to minimize the severity of these results, nor to deny that I have many miles to go -- but it does put it all into perspective. The solution is relatively simple, build more muscle, have less fat, lower the risks.

The GMA participant gave the best advice of all on the show: "Resistance training is the key," said Sumpter, who is now certified as a personal trainer and works at Equinox in New York. "There are three key components to a healthy lifestyle, which is healthy eating habits, resistance training to build muscle and of course cardio to burn calories and for a healthy heart, but it's a combination of all three." This is good health advice for anyone. Of course, as with all things, a doctor's advice rules. But finding out that I'm technically "overweight" has got me heading back to the weight pile. Muscle mass, here I come.