“It doesn’t matter what I eat—I’m just naturally skinny!”
Ah, yes. The words everyone hates to hear. Many people struggle with their weight, and it can be hard to deal with hearing someone brag about how easy it is for them to keep their already-svelte figure. Who doesn’t dream of being that person? How lovely would it be to have the body you want without spending any time watching what you eat or hitting the gym?
The thing is, inside of most of these effortlessly skinny people is a fat person struggling to get out.
It’s called TOFI—Thin Outside, Fat Inside—and it is a serious health concern for those who fall into the “naturally skinny” category. The main reason is that someone who is TOFI probably has no idea that he or she is facing any health risks at all.
Normally, people tend to think of “fat” as that bulge directly under the skin—that shapeless, globular cushion that some love and some hate. It changes the shape of the human body, insulates it from cold and stores energy for when we need it. People see it in the butt, the stomach, the legs and everywhere there could possibly be a buildup of excess material.
People in possession of visible fat know very well the risks associated with the extra tissue they’re carrying around. It’s why many people make at least one effort in their lives to rid themselves of some of it. Heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes and all sorts of other issues come with extra fat buildup.
But thin people don’t consider these issues as much. It’s harder for them to see it as a problem for themselves. Their bellies don’t bulge; their hips don’t jiggle. The cellulite on their thighs is barely visible, and that’s only if they’re looking for it.
These people, however, could potentially be even more at risk than the population that can see their fat. This is because people who are TOFI carry their fat alongside their organs. The fat wraps around vital organs, integrated into body functions in ways that leg, butt and belly fat can barely achieve.
People who are TOFI have a greater risk of developing diabetes, heart disease and other traditionally “fat” diseases. But they don’t know what to look for. If they’re feeling sluggish, they might attribute it to a dietary issue or not getting enough sleep; they almost never think it could be diabetes. Sore legs could be overwork; they’re not as likely to realize it could be blood pressure.
As such, these “thin” people are less likely to catch these health problems early and make lifestyle changes to prevent them from getting worse. They go on with their lives, completely unaware that there is a myriad of health problems looming just over the horizon.
So who is at risk for being TOFI?
TOFI is tied to inactivity. People who regulate their weight with diet alone, for example, are at a high risk for developing the visceral fat that defines TOFI. However, regardless of your diet, the risk of becoming TOFI is still there if there is little-to-no physical activity involved.
Regular exercise (yes, I know—plenty of people hate it) is the best way to prevent TOFI and the associated health risks. Whether it’s through sports, weightlifting, running or whatever else floats your boat, physical activity is key to staying healthy. A healthy diet is important, too, but not as much as exercise.
So next time you catch someone—heck, it could even be you—remarking on how nice it is to keep his or her figure with such little effort, remember: looks can be deceiving.
In the world of health, even the skinniest people can be fat where it counts.