by Tina Haapala

Created on: May 23, 2009   Last Updated: May 29, 2009

Are you Skinny Fat?

Lucky you. Your friends sigh with envy at your tiny waistline and curse their own family genes as you dive into the dessert they can't share. "I'd have to spend hours on the treadmill to pay for that cake," they whine. But not you, you're the lucky one. Right?

Maybe not.

Even when everything looks just fine on the outside, your body still may not be healthy as it could be. Being able to ease into your skinny jeans does not reduce the health risks caused by lack of exercise and poor eating habits. Consider the following before skipping your afternoon jog to spend time with a bag of chips just because the needle on the scale is staying put:

Heart Health

According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the number one killer of women. At any weight, leading a sedentary lifestyle increases your risk of cardiovascular heart disease. Getting the recommended 20 to 60 minutes of heart-pounding exercise per day actually strengthens the heart and increases blood flow. Besides, when the next door-buster sale comes around, you don't want to get out of breath racing for the perfect pair of shoes to go with those skinny jeans. Be prepared.

Hidden Fat

Dr. Jimmy Bell, a professor of molecular engineering in London, spent years studying where people store fat in their bodies. Some speculate from his findings that people who do not have the outward appearance of fat may still, in fact, be fat. Inside your body, the fat can collect around your organs. Diet alone may not be enough to reduce this hidden danger, which may also increase your risk for diabetes and heart disease. So, while you can get away with eating the sugary snacks without having to suck in your gut, you may be starting and internal battle. Why not fight back with a half-hour kickboxing class?

Osteoporosis

As a thin woman, you may be more likely to develop osteoporosis, a disease that can make the bones more susceptible to becoming frail and breaking. Since this is a progressive disease, it is important to have a lifestyle that includes a well balanced diet with adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D. Again, being thin does not exclude you from needing exercise. In this case, weight-bearing exercises are crucial. Jogging, lifting weights and yoga strength or balance poses are some ways to work the muscles around your bones-this fight against gravity reduces your osteoporosis risk.

Unhealthy Habits to Stay Thin

We are bombarded with more messages about getting thin than we are with reminders to stay healthy. If you are focusing exclusively on your weight, some of what you are doing could be hurting you...

For example, smoking. "It's better than getting fat," you may rationalize. Bit it may not be. Smoking restricts the blood flow, making your heart work harder than it needs to.

Dieting is another habit that can be unhealthy. When you take part in fad diets, rather than incorporating healthy eating as a lifestyle, you can limit your necessary nutrients. For example, some diets cut out all fats. Good fats are a key element in digestive and hormone functions.

There's still some good news

If you are possibly a "skinny fat" person, don't despair. There are still benefits to being thin. The battle to become healthy for you will not have the additional stress of having to lose weight, a problem for many people. By incorporating exercise and healthy eating more consistently into your lifestyle, you can have your skinny jeans and a healthy heart, too!

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