Mixed
Obesity and physical inactivity independently increase the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in women; neither factor fully offsets the risk conferred by the other.
For women, maintaining a healthy weight and staying physically active are both critical for preventing heart disease. Being active helps, but it doesn't completely cancel out the risks of being obese. Similarly, being lean doesn't protect you if you are sedentary. Focus on both: manage your weight and engage in regular moderate-to-vigorous exercise (at least 3.5 hours per week).
Obesity and physical inactivity independently contribute to the development of CHD in women. These data underscore the importance of both maintaining a healthy weight and regular physical activity in preventing CHD.
Why this rating
Large prospective cohort (N=88,393), long follow-up (20 years), rigorous adjustment for confounders.
Source
Obesity as Compared With Physical Activity in Predicting Risk of Coronary Heart Disease in Women
Tricia Y. Li et al. · Circulation · 2006
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