Many people assume that being slim equates to being healthy, but this is not always the case. Normal Weight Obesity, commonly known as Thin on the Outside and Fat on the Inside/ “Skinny Fat,” describes individuals who may have a normal BMI but carry excess body fat and minimal muscle mass. This condition puts them at risk for the same metabolic diseases as visibly overweight individuals.
Reviewed by Evans Mwaniki, PT
The appearance of a lean physique can be deceptive, hiding underlying health problems like insulin resistance, leptin resistance, and adipose tissue dysfunction, which contribute to obesity-related illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
The body’s ability to store fat, even in lean individuals, disrupts the body’s hormonal balance. Insulin resistance, for instance, results from an overload of fat cells that impair insulin’s role in managing glucose. This can elevate blood sugar levels, leading to metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Similarly, leptin resistance diminishes the brain’s ability to regulate hunger, causing overeating. These dysfunctions in metabolism can occur regardless of one’s external appearance, emphasizing the importance of looking beyond BMI to assess overall health through body fat percentage.
At Nairobi Fitness Consulting, we focus on body recomposition exercise therapy, a more accurate measure of health than traditional BMI-based assessments. Our goal is to shift the focus to structured supervised exercise prescriptions that enhance muscle mass and reduce fat percentage. This approach not only sheds extra pounds but also helps to prevent or rehabilitate chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, cancer, and diabetes. With precision, our medical experts guide individuals in tailored exercise plans that match their metabolic profile, delivering results far beyond casual physical activities like walking.
Why BMI is a Fallacy
BMI is a crude measure of health because it does not account for fat-to-muscle ratios. Someone with a normal BMI can be classified as “healthy” when they are, in fact, at risk due to excess fat and insufficient muscle. This is why we focus on body fat percentage, which provides a clearer view of metabolic health and helps avoid overlooking those who appear thin but are metabolically unhealthy.
How Walking Isn’t Enough
Walking, while a positive habit, does not target the body’s composition. Real change comes from engaging in structured supervised exercise therapy. These specialized programs focus on resistance training, cardio, and recovery exercises designed to target fat reduction, muscle growth, and metabolic improvement.
Actionable Steps:
- Start with a Body Composition Analysis: Gain clarity on your body fat percentage.
- Enroll in Supervised Exercise Therapy: Receive a tailored exercise plan that addresses your unique metabolic needs.
- Commit to Precision Nutrition: Enhance your body’s function with nutrient-dense foods to complement your physical efforts.
Our Offerings at Nairobi Fitness Consulting:
Our services cater to high-level executives, frequent travelers, and multigenerational heirs, providing:
- GIFT VOUCHERS for wellness treatments
- PRECISION NUTRITION tailored to metabolic health
- EXERCISE THERAPY for safe, effective fat reduction and muscle gain
- PSYCHOLOGICAL REHAB for a holistic approach to well-being.
Invest in your health by focusing on your true metabolic condition. At Nairobi Fitness Consulting, our Obesity Treatment Centre and Human Performance Institute offers exclusive services to help you optimize your health, prevent and rehab conditions like cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Take the step beyond appearances, and focus on body composition, not just weight. Contact us today for a personalized consultation.
