Is it true, people with lower bodyfat % get ill easier?

[Super_Kaioken]

Because I heard when people are at a low body fat level then their body is more prone to illness due to not having much 'protection' :/

[thealadar]

As in people being severely underweight, (e.g. type 1 diabetes).

[Mad_Mike]

Yes it is true, but generally doesn't become a huge problem until very low fat %'s, like what bodybuilders cut to just prior to a big show. It would be unsafe to maintain bodyfat this low ALL the time. Lipids are important in creating inflammation products and many other parts of the immune response.

[ceno]

well, competitive BBers are at their weakest on stage (low bf)...< 5-6%
it dangerous and almost impossible to maintain, so nothing to worry.

on the other hand, 8-9% is perfectly ok, again for an amateur BBer, its hard to maintain but no health problems at that level.

I know at least 5-6 people stay around 8% all year, and they're !!ahemm..A-N-I-M-A-Ls...

[TheKansan]

In terms of rates of heart disease, diabetes, etc. then people with low BF% probably suffer a lot less from that sort of illness.