Metabolically Healthy Obesity

People with metabolically healthy obesity do not exhibit metabolic abnormalities commonly seen with obesity, such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, and hyperglycemia. The reasons some obese people retain metabolic health are being studied and may include more favorable distribution and function of adipose (fat) cells, decreased levels of inflammation, preserved insulin sensitivity, and other

processes.

While at one time it may have been thought that metabolically healthy obesity was a benign condition, that is no longer an accepted belief. It has been found that many metabolically healthy obese people do develop metabolic abnormalities over time. Additionally, some studies have shown that metabolically healthy obesity is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and increased mortality. A recent study observed an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in those MHO participants who went on to develop metabolic abnormalities.

Thus, rather than a permanent condition associated with lifelong health, metabolically healthy obesity should be considered to be a dynamic process that may be temporary. Hopefully more information will become available in the future that will allow better understanding of this interesting entity.

Read the full Underwriting Dialogue from Legal & General America