Physical Fitness and Obesity in Determining Health Outcomes

Posted by on August 31, 2009

The Positive Psychology Center presents
Physical Fitness or Obesity:
Which Is the More Important Determinant of Health Outcomes?

Steven N. Blair, P.E.D.

Part of the Positive Health Lecture Series

Wednesday, September 16, 2009
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

Dunlop Auditorium, Stemmler Hall, University of Pennsylvania
3450 Hamilton Walk
(Entrance a short walk from 36th and Spruce Streets)

The U.S. and many other countries are experiencing increases in rates of overweight and obesity, and these problems have received enormous attention from the public, clinicians and public health professionals. Unfortunately much of the research on obesity and health outcomes is flawed by failure to adequately take physical activity habits into account. Many reports on obesity and health do not even mention physical activity as a possible confounding variable, and those that do include physical activity have typically measured it by self-report. In this lecture, Professor Blair will present data from numerous studies in which cardiorespiratory fitness—an objective laboratory measure of recent physical activity habits—is used as a possible confounder of the obesity-health relationship.

Steven N. Blair is a Professor in the Departments of Exercise Science and Epidemiology and Biostatistics in the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina. One of the most highly cited scientists in his field, he has published approximately 450 reports on physical activity, fitness, obesity and other health topics.

Sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Pennsylvania Positive Psychology Center.