Bigger Butts = Better Health
By: Jen Mueller,
DailySpark Blogger
4/3/2009 5:59 AM
: 233 comments
Researchers at Harvard University have found that body fat just below the skin (called subcutaneous fat) on the buttocks, hips and thighs may help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Although the study was done on mice, they are finding the same kind of results in humans.
Researchers took some of the subcutaneous fat from these areas and transplanted it to the mice's abdominal area. The result was a drop in body weight and blood sugar levels in these animals (even though their diet and exercise levels remained unchanged.) It seems that there's something in this kind of fat that improves glucose metabolism.
They've found that women with larger backsides and smaller stomachs have a smaller risk of developing type 2 diabetes. If the women had larger backsides and larger stomachs, the same was not true. But the type of fat in the backside has as certain hormone that tends to promote weight loss in other areas of the body.
It's still important to eat healthy and exercise regularly for overall health. But if you carry a little more "junk in the trunk" than you'd like, maybe that's not such a bad thing after all!
Researchers took some of the subcutaneous fat from these areas and transplanted it to the mice's abdominal area. The result was a drop in body weight and blood sugar levels in these animals (even though their diet and exercise levels remained unchanged.) It seems that there's something in this kind of fat that improves glucose metabolism.
They've found that women with larger backsides and smaller stomachs have a smaller risk of developing type 2 diabetes. If the women had larger backsides and larger stomachs, the same was not true. But the type of fat in the backside has as certain hormone that tends to promote weight loss in other areas of the body.
It's still important to eat healthy and exercise regularly for overall health. But if you carry a little more "junk in the trunk" than you'd like, maybe that's not such a bad thing after all!
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Comments
I think no matter what we should still be eating right, exercising and ensuring we receive age-appropriate check ups on a regular basis (plus whatever else we need to treat other conditions). I don't see how it really changes that need. - 10/16/2012 12:34:12 PM
Hey, GODIZMUVEN1 (comment # 230) , has said what I think to be the most insightful thing I've heard in a long time, so much so that I'm re-posting it here:
"I agree, This study seems like an absolute waste of good brain power. Let's use research money to cure diabetes not make observations about something that cannot be changed or controlled like a person's body type. Good grief, what is up with you guys at Harvard? "
Word. - 6/20/2012 4:20:36 AM
That means I'm REALLY heatthy!! - 7/27/2010 1:20:27 PM
- 3/18/2010 11:56:52 PM
Who wrote the law that says that big breasts are better than big butts and skinny legs better than shapely legs.??... Who wrote that script?" Not Real Women.
Lets get healthy and strong and stop comparing ourselves to stick insects!
- 3/10/2010 2:26:30 PM
- 3/9/2010 11:33:27 AM
When I was over 200 lbs, my waist was 43 inch and hips 52 so my ratio was an unhealthy .83. - 3/6/2010 12:18:27 AM
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