Ever wonder if there’s a difference in the belly fat of obese people who exercise and those who don’t? Is it true or false to say that all belly fat is the same, that belly fat is belly fat is belly fat?
A study from the University of Michigan took a look at this question.
The research involved two groups of adults with obesity: one group consisted of 16 individuals who exercised at least four times a week for an average of 11 years, while the other group comprised 16 individuals who had never exercised regularly but were matched for body fat, weight and sex.
The results revealed distinct differences in the fat tissue of the exercisers.
Visceral Fat in Obese People Who Workout, Compared to Those Who Are Sedentary
- Their fat tissue showed improved structural and biological characteristics that enhance the ability to store fat more effectively.
- For instance, the exercisers had increased blood vessel density, more mitochondria, and higher levels of beneficial proteins.
- Additionally, they had lower amounts of a type of collagen that can disrupt metabolism, along with fewer inflammatory cells.
These adaptations make it easier for the body to store excess fat in a healthier way, specifically in the subcutaneous adipose tissue located just under the skin, rather than in visceral fat around the organs, which is associated with various health problems.
Principal investigator Jeffrey Horowitz pointed out that these changes allow individuals to manage weight gain more effectively as they age.
When the body can store excess fat in healthier areas, it reduces the likelihood of accumulating fat in more dangerous regions, such as around organs or in the organs themselves.
This finding is particularly significant given the rising prevalence of health issues linked to unhealthy fat accumulation, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
In this condition, excess fat builds up in the liver, potentially leading to severe complications like cirrhosis and liver cancer.
The researchers aimed to understand how years of regular exercise impact fat tissue, a challenging endeavor due to the difficulty of conducting long-term studies.
Instead, they compared the two groups and analyzed samples of belly fat taken from each.
The exercise group showed marked differences in their fat tissue, which were not present in the non-exercisers.
The adaptations in fat tissue among regular exercisers suggest a more favorable metabolic environment, allowing them to store fat without the same risks faced by those who do not exercise.
The study indicates that increasing the capacity to store fat in healthy tissue is not the same as gaining fat; rather, it suggests that when individuals do gain weight, it can be managed in a way that is less harmful.
This is crucial for overall health as people age, especially since many experience weight fluctuations throughout their lives.
Many obese, especially morbidly obese, women and men cite “What’s the use?” when asked why they don’t adhere to a structured workout regimen.
Well, there IS a use: You just read it!
Lorra Garrick is a former personal trainer certified through the American Council on Exercise. At Bally Total Fitness she trained women and men of all ages for fat loss, muscle building, fitness and improved health.
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