Physically fit men and women who were overweight or obese had a lower risk of death than those who were of normal weight but had low fitness levels, according to researchers at the University of South Carolina's Arnold School of Public Health.

The 12-year Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas, Texas, found that adults over age 60 who died were older, had lower fitness levels, were fatter and had more cardiovascular risk factors than survivors.

The study, published in the Dec. 5 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, is the first to examine the link among fitness, body fat and death in older Americans.

"Fitness level is a strong predictor for risk of dying in older adults," said Dr. Steven N. Blair, an Arnold School professor and one of the study's authors. The study is important because America's aging population, obesity and physical inactivity are significant public-health challenges, he said.

"By 2030, approximately 70 million people will be older than 65," Blair said. "Already we know that nearly one-third of Americans are obese, and the majority of adults do not get enough physical activity."