Pears v Apples

It has been claimed that women with ‘pear-shaped’ figures are less likely to suffer from heart problems related to their weight than those with ‘apple-shaped’ figures.

But a new study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology has revealed that it is no healthier to carry weight on the hips, thighs and buttocks than it is to have it spread around the stomach area.

Study leader Dr Ishwarlal Jialal, said, “Fat in the abdomen has long been considered the most detrimental to health and gluteal fat was thought to protect against diabetes, heart disease and metabolic syndrome.

“But our research helps to dispel the myth that gluteal fat is ‘innocent’. It also suggests that abnormal protein levels may be an early indicator to identify those at risk for developing metabolic syndrome”.

Dr Anna Clarke, health promotion manager of the Diabetic Federation of Ireland says we should not be quick to jump to conclusions. “This was a small study of 45 individuals with early stage metabolic syndrome matched for gender and age.

“A difference in circulating proteins was found between the groups. However, it is a big jump to make the conclusion that this warrants dispelling the myth that pear shapes are healthier than apple. It may be a further support that excess weight carried in the thighs as gluteal fat is also unhealthy and incurs cardiac and diabetes risk — this is already accepted.”

Irish Heart Foundation dietitian Janis Morrissey says that although pear-shaped figures have been associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, being overweight in any area is unhealthy.

“At the Irish Heart Foundation, we advise that when a person is overweight or obese, regardless of where this weight is stored on the body, there is an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and diabetes,” she says.

“Excess fat stored on the hips has been linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease than fat carried on the abdomen but it still carries a higher risk than being a healthy weight. Our advice is to take positive steps to reduce this risk by losing weight and eating a balanced diet. For example, even losing 10% of excess weight can help lower blood pressure.”

Karl Henry, fitness expert from Operation Transformation says we need to fight the fat by doing some simple exercises.

“Excess fat is still excess fat — so walking and resistance exercises such as squats and lunges will help you to tone and strengthen up.”

* For more information visit www.irishheart.ie www.diabetes.ie and www.karlhenry.ie