Fat but Fit?

Can folks really be fat, but fit?  According to research conducted at the Harvard School of Public Health, it is possible, but rare.

"Possible, yes, but exception rather than rule, and for the most obvious of reasons: generally people who become and stay fit are attentive to their health, and a focus on health may be the best bet there is for lasting weight control."

That finding did not surprise me.  When my husband and I started exercising last year, our eating habits naturally changed too.  We both realized that there was no point in busting our butts on the bike, only to eat KFC for dinner.

This tidbit of information did surprise me:

"There are others who simply have excess body fat in places where it does no real harm- notably in the hips, buttocks, and thighs- as opposed to around the middle, where fat is most dangerous.  Such people may be “metabolically lean,” even if the eyeball test suggests they are heavy."

This news is GREAT for me.   Even after religiously exercising for nearly a year, I still have too much junk in my trunk.   But, thankfully, my belly is beautiful!

I also found this tidbit of information interesting

"There is increasing recognition that waist circumference more reliably captures the health risks of body fat than the prevailing body-mass index (BMI)."

(Source:  Can you be fat and fit?)
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10/5
Fat grows differently in different body areas

A recent study has proven what many women could have told researchers:  the fat in our bellies is different from the fat in the our rear ends and thighs.  According to Dr. Jensen from the Mayo Clinic, "'The accumulation of abdominal fat happens largely by individual cells expanding in size, while with fat gain in the femoral or lower body, it's the number of fat cells that increases. So, different mechanism, different impact.'"

The next step is for researchers to determine what role genetics play in the differing functions of the fat cells.  For now, the study's biggest take-away is that we shouldn't about gaining weight in our lower body, because it is not nearly as bad, health wise, as gaining belly fat.

Personally, I would rather avoid both kinds of fat.   Looks wise, they both detract from overall appearance.  But still good information to know.
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