[291] ‘MTSU On the Record’ examines the ‘fit but fat’ controversy

MURFREESBORO — An MTSU professor’s contribution to the growing body of research into fitness among the overweight is the topic on the next edition of the “MTSU On the Record” radio program.

Host Gina Logue’s interview with Dr. Vaughn Barry, assistant professor of exercise science, will air from 5:30 to 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16, and from 8 to 8:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, on WMOT-FM (89.5 and www.wmot.org).

Barry and his colleagues examined 10 prior studies, dividing participants into three weight categories — normal, overweight and obese.

Then the researchers compared the participants’ performance on an endurance test, which was running on a treadmill in most cases.

They found that overweight and obese people who were fit had similar mortality risks as fit people of normal weight.

In other words, a person’s fitness level, not his or her weight, is the key factor in determining one’s risk of dying early.

“We’ve all heard of the obesity epidemic,” said Barry. “But this could be our low fitness epidemic where we as a society need to engineer physical activity back into our lives.”

Barry said the amount of activity necessary to maintain fitness is not as much as we might think. The federal government recommends only 150 minutes per week in segments as low as 10 minutes at a time.

The entire study, which was published in the journal Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases and at www.sciencedirect.com, may be read at http://tinyurl.com/ld7tzyr.

To listen to previous “MTSU On the Record” programs, go to the “Audio Clips” archives at http://www.mtsunews.com.

For more information, contact Logue at 615-898-5081 or WMOT-FM at 615-898-2800.