Health Dangers Associated With Extra Abdominal Fat
The health risks to being overweight or obese are well known. It’s not as well known, however, that where that fat is kept is a bigger risk factor. The area of the body that carries the most fat will determine the body shape. A pear-shaped person is one who has a lower-body fat concentration. An apple-shaped person has a larger layer of fat located on the abdomen. The apple shape is more dangerous due to an increase of serious illnesses.
The circumference of the waist, its measurement all the way around the body, can tell doctors a lot about the increased risk of disease. A waist bigger then 35 inches carries a higher risk for women. The biggest risk for men begins at 40 inches. Another way to gauge the risk that exists is by looking at the ratio of hip and waist measurements. Generally, a person’s waist should be smaller than their hips. A waist/hip ratio percentage gives a clear indication of the risks. Having a .90 ratio is the safest for men. The best ratio for women is .80. In anyone, a ratio that is at least 1.0 will put them at risk.
One of the worst diseases that the apple shaped are at risk of contracting is heart disease. The biggest killer in the West is heart disease, which is a preventable illness in most cases. This can occur because too much abdominal fat lowers good cholesterol (HDL) and raises blood pressure. Getting rid of the excess fat around the middle will lower the risk of heart disease.
Diabetes is another risk. People with a lot of stomach fat have a greatly increased risk of Type 2 diabetes. This can be especially true for women. A recent study showed that women with this body type have a six times higher risk of the disease than women with the pear shape. Diabetes is often not diagnosed for awhile, leading to damage done to the body before it can be controlled. Everyone with an apple shape should try to lose the extra fat for that reason.
Breast cancer rates are also higher for people who carry extra middle fat. Fat cells release some estrogen, and the more fat is present, the more estrogen is produced. Having too much estrogen increases the risk of breast cancer. A pear shape does not pose the same degree of risk as an apple shape.
Insulin resistance, ovarian problems and sleep apnea can all be caused by having an apple shape. Having insulin resistance means a high chance of developing metabolic syndrome or even diabetes. Sleep apnea can be dangerous because the breathing is interrupted several times during sleep. When ovulatory dysfunction occurs, the eggs aren’t released predictably. This is a condition that can cause infertility. Reducing the amount of fat in the abdomen is crucial for anyone with an apple shape and a high waist/hip ratio. The risk of serious diseases is higher for women, so it is especially important for them to lose the fat.
