Many people believe that being within the ideal weight is synonymous with health. But, in Brazil, where almost 40% of the adult population is sedentary, according to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), a silent and worrying profile has been growing in offices: that of the “thin sedentary”.

Given this scenario, endocrinologist Fernanda Parra warns that the number on the scale does not always reflect real health and can hide important risks for metabolism. She explains that the old concept of health based solely on the Body Mass Index (BMI) is falling into disuse.

“Many patients arrive at the office celebrating a stable weight, but the bioimpedance reveals a frightening reality: a very high percentage of visceral fat hidden under an almost non-existent muscle mass. It’s called hidden obesity”, he explains.

Visceral fat: the “diseased organ” you don’t see

Unlike subcutaneous fat, the kind that bothers you in the mirror or squeezes your jeans, visceral fat it is invisible and lethal. It lodges between the vital organs and functions as a “sick endocrine organ”, triggering constant inflammation throughout the body. In the lean sedentary, this silent process is the trigger for serious illnesses, such as:

• Type 2 diabetes: insulin resistance occurs even without apparent excess weight;
• Hepatic steatosis: the liver accumulates fat asymptomatically, which can progress to critical conditions;
• Cardiovascular risks: arteries become inflamed due to poor body composition, increasing the chances of heart attack and stroke.

Muscle: your “life insurance” in 2026

For Fernanda Parra, the muscle needs to be rescued from the field of aesthetics and taken to the field of survival. “The fabric muscular It is the engine of our metabolism and survival. It consumes glucose, regulates satiety and fights inflammation. When we stop moving, this engine shuts down, facilitating chronic illnesses, loss of mobility and shorter life expectancy”, he highlights.

With that, the expert’s message is clear: stop chasing numbers on the scale and start managing your body composition. Bodybuilding and strategic protein consumption are not luxuries for athletes, but non-negotiable pillars for those who want to age with health and vitality.

By Rayssa Martins