 |
|
Exercise important in reducing size of abdominal fat cells
August 08, 2006WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Reducing the size of abdominal fat cells - which are a risk factor for diabetes and heart disease - takes more than cutting calories, according to new research from Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. Early results from a five-year study show that exercise should be added to the equation.
"The message is very clear," said Tongjian You, Ph.D., instructor in geriatric medicine at Wake Forest Baptist and lead author. "Exercise is important to reducing the size of these cells, and may one day be part of a prescription for treating the health complications associated with abdominal fat."
The study is reported in the August issue of the International Journal of Obesity. The results - from 45 obese, middle-age women with excess abdominal fat - are part of an ongoing study of up to 125 women. The goal is to determine what lifestyle changes are needed to reduce the size of abdominal fat cells.
It is well known that overall obesity is a risk factor for diabetes and heart disease. Not all obese people develop these diseases, of course. Obese people who have more abdominal fat (an apple shape) are at a higher risk than people who store excess fat in their hips and thighs (a pear shape).
Abdominal fat is associated with metabolic syndrome, a cluster of symptoms that increases the risk for heart disease and diabetes. The syndrome is diagnosed when someone has at least three of the following: abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, low levels of high-density liprorotein ("good") cholesterol, high blood pressure and increased levels of sugar in the blood.
The current research studied a lesser-known risk factor for the syndrome - the size of fat cells just under the surface of the skin, known as subcutaneous fat.
"The size of these fat cells predicts type 2 diabetes, independent of whether the patient is obese," said You.
Earlier studies had shown that exercise can reduce fat cell size, but it is not known if the intensity of exercise matters during dietary weight loss. For the current study, all women had a deficit of 2,800 calories a week, either through dieting or a combination of dieting and exercise.
One group cut their calorie levels through diet, but did not exercise. A second group walked at about 1 to 2 miles per hour on a treadmill for 50 minutes three times a week. A third group also walked three times a week, but at 3.5 to 4 miles per hour for 30 minutes. Both exercise groups burned 400 calories each week through walking.
The women were provided food for their lunch and supper, which was selected by a registered dietician. Body size and weight, as well as total fat and abdominal fat cell size were measured both before and after the 20-week study period. The results showed that all groups lowered their fat mass, body weight (by 19 to 23 pounds), percent fat, and waist and hip girths (by 3 to 4 inches in hips and 4 inches in waists) to a similar degree.
The diet-alone group had no changes in abdominal fat cell size. However, both exercise groups had decreases of about 18 percent in the size of their abdominal fat cells.
"It is important to complete our larger study to see if these results hold true," said You. "But, these early findings do point to the importance of exercise in treating the complications of abdominal fat."
You said it's possible that because of the small size of the study, women in the diet-alone group did have small reductions in fat cell size that weren't detected. "However, considering the important role of abdominal fat cell size in predicting diabetes and heart disease, our study does indicate that addition of exercise to dietary weight loss is more beneficial than weight loss alone," he said.
Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center
It is well known that overall obesity is a risk factor for diabetes and heart disease. Not all obese people develop these diseases, of course. Obese people who have more abdominal fat (an apple shape) are at a higher risk than people who store excess fat in their hips and thighs (a pear shape).
Abdominal fat is associated with metabolic syndrome, a cluster of symptoms that increases the risk for heart disease and diabetes. The syndrome is diagnosed when someone has at least three of the following: abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, low levels of high-density liprorotein ("good") cholesterol, high blood pressure and increased levels of sugar in the blood.
The current research studied a lesser-known risk factor for the syndrome - the size of fat cells just under the surface of the skin, known as subcutaneous fat.
"The size of these fat cells predicts type 2 diabetes, independent of whether the patient is obese," said You.
Earlier studies had shown that exercise can reduce fat cell size, but it is not known if the intensity of exercise matters during dietary weight loss. For the current study, all women had a deficit of 2,800 calories a week, either through dieting or a combination of dieting and exercise.
One group cut their calorie levels through diet, but did not exercise. A second group walked at about 1 to 2 miles per hour on a treadmill for 50 minutes three times a week. A third group also walked three times a week, but at 3.5 to 4 miles per hour for 30 minutes. Both exercise groups burned 400 calories each week through walking.
The women were provided food for their lunch and supper, which was selected by a registered dietician. Body size and weight, as well as total fat and abdominal fat cell size were measured both before and after the 20-week study period. The results showed that all groups lowered their fat mass, body weight (by 19 to 23 pounds), percent fat, and waist and hip girths (by 3 to 4 inches in hips and 4 inches in waists) to a similar degree.
The diet-alone group had no changes in abdominal fat cell size. However, both exercise groups had decreases of about 18 percent in the size of their abdominal fat cells.
"It is important to complete our larger study to see if these results hold true," said You. "But, these early findings do point to the importance of exercise in treating the complications of abdominal fat."
You said it's possible that because of the small size of the study, women in the diet-alone group did have small reductions in fat cell size that weren't detected. "However, considering the important role of abdominal fat cell size in predicting diabetes and heart disease, our study does indicate that addition of exercise to dietary weight loss is more beneficial than weight loss alone," he said.
Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center
Abdominal Fat Current Events and Abdominal Fat News RSSNew Catheter-less Technique May Ease the Pain and Discomfort of Prostate Cancer Recovery
To ease the pain of recovery following prostate cancer surgery, physician-scientists have developed an innovative and patient-friendly approach that eliminates the use of a penile urinary catheter.
Obesity raises risks of serious digestive health concerns
The prevalence of obesity and overweight in the United States coupled by the increased risk of gastrointestinal diseases related to obesity raises serious implications for the health of Americans.
Growth hormone reduces abdominal fat, cardiovascular risk in HIV patients on antiviral therapy
Low-dose growth hormone treatment reduced abdominal fat deposits and improved blood pressure and triglyceride levels in a group of patients with HIV lipodystrophy, a condition involving the redistribution of fat and other metabolic changes in patients receiving combination drug therapy for HIV infection.
Growth hormone treatment for HIV patients improves abdominal fat, but worsens glucose level
For human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients with treatment-related abdominal obesity and growth hormone deficiency, receiving low-dose growth hormone resulted in improvement in fat and blood pressure measurements but worsened glucose levels.
Minimally-invasive weight loss surgery improves health and morbidly obese teens
Teenagers' obesity-related medical complications improve just six months after laparoscopic gastric banding surgery, according to outcomes data presented this week.
Laparoscopic weight-loss surgery improves health of morbidly obese teens
Teenagers' obesity-related medical complications improve just 6 months after laparoscopic gastric banding surgery, a new study found. The preliminary results will be presented at The Endocrine Society's 90th Annual Meeting in San Francisco.
USC study shows belly fat may affect liver function
A study by the University of Southern California (USC) suggests the release of lipids from abdominal fat, which drains directly to the liver, increases overnight, providing additional insight as to how abdominal fat is associated with type 2 diabetes risk. The results of the study were presented at an oral session Monday, June 9 at the American Diabetes Association 68th Scientific Sessions held in San Francisco.
Not all fat created equal
It has long been known that type 2 diabetes is linked to obesity, particularly fat inside the belly. Now, researchers at the Joslin Diabetes Center have found that fat from other areas of the body can actually reduce insulin resistance and improve insulin sensitivity.
Your belly fat could be making you hungrier
The extra fat we carry around our middle could be making us hungrier, so we eat more, which in turn leads to even more belly fat.
Larger belly in mid-life increases risk of dementia
People with larger stomachs in their 40s are more likely to have dementia when they reach their 70s, according to a study published in the March 26, 2008, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
More Abdominal Fat Current Events and Abdominal Fat News Articles
 | It Must Be My Metabolism by Reza Yavari A comprehensive plan to help you combat metabolic syndrome, lose weight, and restore overall health First recognized by the World Health Organization in 1998, metabolic syndrome has become one of the hottest topics in health care. A collection of seemingly unrelated medical disorders, metabolic syndrome includes heart disease, excess abdominal fat, sleep problems, infertility, insulin resistance... |
 | Combat Abs: 50 Fat-burning Exercises That Build Lean, Powerful and Punch-proof Abs by Matt Furey Revised Edition. Discover the amazing fat-destroying exercises that tighten your abs, quadruple your energy, crank up your metabolism, eliminate back pain, improve digestion and ramp up your sex life! And best of all, if you can breathe, you can do it virtually anytime,... |
 | Oxycise! Introduction to Oxycise! and Basic Breath Techniques; Oxycise Level I: 15-Minute Workout (with 1 Audio Cassette) ((Get Ready to Launch Your Metabolism to New Heights: No Boring Diets; No Major Time Commitment), VHS) by Jill R. Johnson, Jerilee Hutchins "You're tired - frustrated - discouraged with all the time, effort, and money you've wasted on trying to achieve a slender, healthy body. I know . . . I've been there. But I've solved my weight problems once and for all, and have helped thousands -- all ages and fitness levels -- achieve success WITHOUT pills, diets, sweat, or equipment. You can start burning fat TODAY with my proven, healthy,... |
| The Campitelli advanced method for a flat abdomen and thin waist by Frank Campitelli | |
 | Eating for IBS: 175 Delicious, Nutritious, Low-Fat, Low-Residue Recipes to Stabilize the Touchiest Tummy by Heather Van Vorous IBS is one of our nation's most untalked-about ailments, but millions of people - mostly women - suffer from the debilitating condition, one that must be controlled primarily through diet. Contrary to what may sufferers believe, eating for IBS does not mean deprivation, never going to restaurants, boring food, or an unhealthily limited diet. It does mean cutting out such trigger foods as red... |
 | Gluten-Free for a Healthy Life: Nutritional Advice and Recipes for Those Suffering from Celiac Disease and Other Gluten-Related Disorders by Kimberly A. Tessmer Consuming a gluten-free diet on a daily basis is not an easy task and can be quite confusing. Gluten can be hard to detect when it is hidden in unfamiliar forms or used within ingredients in foods. This book provides all the information needed to make understanding and following a gluten-free diet easier and healthier. The book gives readers a better understanding of why certain people need to... |
| Beautiful Body Guide! How to 'Spot Tone' Your Way to a Beautiful Body! You can firm up your knowledge about toning and get a grip on your love handles. Get help today by learning How to Spot Tone Your Way to a Beautiful Body. Inside this research collection, you will: Find information about what toning is really all about. Learn about stretching: what it is, why you need it, when to do it and how. Uncover specific toning workouts for each major muscle group in the... |
| © 2008 BrightSurf.com |