20 Incredible Facts About The Human Body Being fat but healthy is a myth, says a new study by researchers from the European Society of Cardiology. Staying active can counteract the negative effects of obesity is another false belief as overweight people who exercise regularly still suffer from poorer heart health, they say. The recent notion that weight has less bearing on overall health advocated by the body positivity movement seeking to end the stigma surrounding obese people. In a fresh analysis of cases of more than 520,000 adults, it was found that exercise helps to reduce the odds of developing hypertension and diabetes, but still being overweight remains significantly a risk factor for heart attack and stroke.