Last month, a report was issued that clashed with what many in the medical industry had been saying for years: that people can be overweight and still be healthy. But is it really true?

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In the recent issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, a study indicated that many overweight individuals were just as healthy as their skinny counterparts. Fifty-percent of those in the study, who were overweight or obese, had healthy blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.

The study seems to defy the stereotype that people who are overweight are generally unhealthy. What the study doesn't mention, however, is how healthy those people will be 10 to 20 years down the road.

Thea Grau, a dietitian at St. Mary's Hospital, said that's the key is thinking to the future. While you may be healthy now, she said you'll likely run into trouble years down the road.

"How much you weigh isn't always the full story," Grau said. "You have to look at several things: how much body fat percentage is the person carrying, do they have a healthy diet, what's their family history like -- some families have a higher tendency towards heart disease, diabetes, (and) cancer."

Grau said while she's definitely seen overweight individuals who are generally healthy -- it's not a good idea to live by that mindset, WISC-TV reported.

"We don't have to look like Olympians," Grau said. "But we do need to keep an eye on our weight."

While some overweight people are healthy now, the risks for heart disease and diabetes are too high later in life. Grau said be smart -- exercise regularly and eat right. And if people do need to lose some weight, check with their doctor.

"Good Question" is a regular segment you'll see on WISC-TV. If you have a question, ask reporter Marc Lovicott at goodquestion@channel3000.com.

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