Fats don’t flatter the image most of the
time. But beyond the aesthetic beauty that a lean body projects,
researchers are now saying that the location or distribution of body fat
matters when we are talking about overall wellbeing.
Scientists say that, generally, body
weight is influenced by a person’s age, gene and hormonal activities on
the one hand, and by the body maintenance condition — how much you
exercise, diet, etc. They contend that the amount and location of fat in
your body affects your risk for a number of health conditions.
Body shapes and fat distribution
According to an online beauty and
fitness page, channel4.com, the apple shape is defined by an ample bust,
round stomach and slimmer hips. Here, fat is mainly distributed in the
abdomen, chest, and face.
Continue reading after the cut...
The pear shape is characterised by a
small bust, narrow shoulders, and bigger hips, thighs or bum. The fat is
usually deposited in the buttocks, hips, and thighs. As body fat
percentage increases, experts say, an increasing proportion of body fat
is distributed around the waist and upper abdomen. That is why
pear-shaped women tend to have a (relatively) larger derrière, thicker
thighs, and small(er) breasts.
Hourglass (aka Figure 8) shape is
defined by ample bust, curvy hips and a slimmer waist. Here, the body
fat distribution tends to be around both the upper and lower body
The online portal, mensfitness.com, says men’s body shapes fall in two broad categories — endomorphs (stockier men) and ectomorphs (skinny ones).
Experts say while the apple shape seems to be common among men, women can be either apple or pear-shaped.
Health implications of your fat
A study led by a specialist in natural
progesterone therapy, Dr. John Lee, deposes that the fat that
accumulates in pear-shaped people largely lies directly under the skin
(subcutaneous), while the fat of apple shapes are located in the abdomen
(visceral). It is variously called organ fat or intra-abdominal fat
because it is located inside the abdominal cavity and packed between the
organs (stomach, liver, etc).
Another study done by researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Centre and published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
indicates that how much fat a person has is less important than the
location when it comes to determining risk for cardiovascular disease.
Lee says visceral fat has been
associated with metabolic disturbances and increased risk of heart
disease, Type 2 diabetes, breast cancer and the need for gall bladder
surgery.
Says Lee, “You can grasp subcutaneous
fat with your hand, but visceral fat lies deep inside the abdominal
cavity, where it takes up residence in the spaces between the abdominal
organs. Consequently, abdominal fat is the most serious health risk.”
The North American Menopause Society
says for women, especially, abdominal fat tends to increase during the
menopausal years, “possibly due to declining oestrogen production and
increased androgens, or male hormones.”
The non governmental organisation notes
that higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol are common after
menopause, while cortisol also promotes more abdominal fat.
“People who tend to deposit fat in the
abdominal region are more likely to suffer from adverse health
conditions than people whose fat resides in the hips and thighs,”
experts say.
The trio of Doctors Lee, Jesse Hanley and Peter Eckhart in their study published on boxingscene.com,
say environmental factors — such as exposure to plastics, plastic
drinking bottles, commercially raised beef, chicken and pork, some
personal care products, pesticides, herbicides, spermicide, detergent
and canned foods — do make men to develop increased oestrogen levels,
which not only make their hips fat but also pose as the main risk factor
for diseases such as prostate enlargement and cancer.
The researchers say, “It is clear that
increased body fat affects health, the news is that its distribution on
the body influences the state of health of specific organs.”
Again, experts say, apple-shaped
individuals are exposed to a greater risk of developing obesity-related
diseases, as the fat is intra-abdominal and distributed around their
stomach and chest.
Such people risk respiratory diseases (sleep apnea syndrome), some cancers and osteoarthritis, researchers say.
The scientists also note that
pear-shaped overweight persons are at greater risk of mechanical
problems, as most of their body fat is distributed around their hips,
thighs and bottom.
Women fare worse where fat matters, or
so researchers say. Lee contends, “Women are at a disadvantage, as their
physiological processes (childbearing and hormone functions) require a
plus of essential fat, the ‘sex-specific fat.’ Thus the total percentage
of body fat is higher.
“Moreover, this part of essential fat is
hard to dislodge. Secondly, women have less calorie-burning muscle than
men, which makes it more demanding for the female to achieve a trimmer
figure!”
While this is not an excuse for women to pile on the pounds, it is quite instructive.
Protect yourself
Hope is not lost, though. The Wake
Forest University researchers say regardless of body shape, the risk of
developing heart disease and diabetes increases with every inch added to
the midsection; but with positive changes in diet and exercise habits,
it’s entirely possible to reduce waist circumference.
Women are also advised to guard against the so-called mid-life spread, especially as they approach menopause.
“Beyond their clear effect on a woman’s
overall health, this condition tends to compromise women’s sexual
function through reduced energy, reduced mobility, poor self-image, and
other factors,” experts aver.
According to the online portal, webmd.com,
you can safely lose about 1.5kg a week at with a healthy diet and lots
of exercise. “A diet that minimises starches, sugars and animal fat
(from meat and dairy foods) will get you there.”
Physicians also recommend focusing on
fruits, vegetables, egg whites, soy products, skinless poultry breasts,
fish, shellfish, nonfat dairy foods, and 95 per cent lean meat.
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