Sedentary lifestyle cancels out heart benefits of having normal weight: Study

Low levels of physical activity can put healthy weight adults at the same risk for cardiovascular diseases as those who are overweight, a study has found.

"Our study demonstrates that a sedentary lifestyle counters the benefit of being at a normal weight when it comes to heart disease risk," said Arch G Mainous from University of Florida in the US.

"Achieving a body mass index, or BMI, in the normal range shouldn't give people a false sense of confidence they're in good health. If you're not exercising, you're not doing enough," Mainous said.

The study, published in the American Journal of Cardiology, found that 30 per cent of US adults at a normal weight are at increased risk of heart attack or stroke.

These adults had higher levels of belly fat, shortness of breath upon exertion, unhealthy waist circumference or less than recommended levels of physical activity, the researchers said.

"We have traditionally thought that people with a normal BMI are healthy and at low risk for heart ..