Body Fat Distribution Factors
Most men and women put on weight differently. But on what makes fat settle in a preferential way, there is little evidence.
Scientists ascertained that the specific body shapes are: the android shape, or apple shape, common among men (fat deposits on the middle section of the body, mostly on the abdomen) and the gynoid, or pear shape, more common among women (fat deposited on hips and bottom). There is also the third type of body shape: the ovoid shape, not differentiating between men and women. With this type we can speak of an over-all general coverage of bodyfat.
Thinking of many cases of exceptions, I try to find out in what follows if there is a strict specific fat pattern distribution for men and women and what are the factors influencing fat distribution. And I find this interesting not in as much as the aesthetic side is concerned but from the health perspective.
Being overweight or underweight are characteristics depending on many factors: you are genetically overweight if you have a family history of overweight parents/relatives. Also, the nervous system plays an important role in balancing the body weight: serotonin and endorphins send signals to the brain that induce the need to eat or on the contrary. There is also the CCK hormone which transmits the brain signals on the state of satiety – it decreases hunger.
While generally, body weight is influenced genetically, hormonally and by the body maintenance condition (the activity routine), it seems that the fat distribution is influenced by age, genetic inheritance, race, but to a greater extent by gender specific hormones. They are responsible for the distribution of fat in certain zones of our bodies: thus, estrogens which are responsible of the typical female sexual characteristics will influence the fat deposition in the pear format, favouring its laying on the hips, thighs, and belly, while testosterone will “lead” fat mostly towards tummy and upper body.
Latest studies show that men’s tendency towards the gynoid format has increased in the past 30 years (one study shows a growth of 2 inches in men’s hips in the past 30 years). According to researches as John R. Lee, M.D (specialist in natural progesterone therapy), Dr. Jesse Hanley and Dr. Peter Eckhart, it seems that modern life exposes people to increased amounts of estrogen and estrogen-like substances (xenoestrogens or foreign estrogens). Sources of these substances can be plastics, plastic drinking bottles, commercially raised beef, chicken and pork, personal care products, pesticides, herbicides, birth control pills, spermacide, detergent, canned foods and lacquers. The problem is that increased estrogen levels in men not only make their hips fatten but are the main risk factor for disease such as prostate enlargement and cancer.
Also, for women, the android pattern fat distribution should raise questions with regard to hormonal imbalances, such situations being a potential cause for health problems such as polycystic ovary syndrome.
We’ve seen how health related problems can affect body fat, now let’s take a look at how fat can induce health problems.
It is clear that increased body fat affects health, the news is that its distribution on the body influences the state of health of specific organs.
According to its placement, fat can be subcutaneous (under the skin) or visceral (around organs). The greatest concern is generated by visceral fat that can interfere with the good functioning of vital organs. There is a relationship between overall fat deposits and specific fat deposits: fat around the body middle section is associated with visceral fat, so, abdominal fat is the most serious health risk.
The waist to hip ratio is a method of determining whether there are excessive amounts of upper body fat. It is obtained by dividing the waist measurement by the hip measurement. The upper limits are:.95 for men and .80 for women. Any exceeding values should be alarming.
Apple-shaped fat individuals are exposed to a greater risk of developing obesity-related diseases, as the fat is intra-abdominal and distributed around their stomach and chest. They risk:
- Cardiovascular diseases and hypertension
- Type 2 diabetes
- Respiratory diseases (sleep apnea syndrome)
- Some cancers
- Osteoarthritis
The pear-shaped overweight persons are at greater risk of mechanical problems, as most of their body fat is distributed around their hips, thighs and bottom.
Both apple-shaped and pear-shaped obese persons are likely to develop psychological problems and alteration of the quality of life.
In any case, extra-weight cannot create but problems. Fact is that the main role in acquiring extra-fat is the food intake that the body cannot burn for various reasons (such as a decreased metabolic rate, low activity level or the physical condition), and, consequently, it creates fat deposits. The solution is a classic one: diet and exercise.
However, in shedding extra weight there are men-women differences. The process appears to be harder for women.
The total mass of the body is made up of fat mass and fat-free mass. The fat mass can be of two types: essential and excess. Essential fat is found in bone marrow, in various organs, and throughout the nervous system.
Women are at a disadvantage, as their physiological processes (childbearing and hormone functions) require a plus of essential fat, the “sex-specific fat”. Thus the total percentage of body fat is higher, moreover, this part of essential fat is hard to dislodge. Secondly, women have less calorie burning muscle than men, which makes it more more demanding for the female to achieve a trimmer figure. Now, girls, don’t use it as an excuse!
About The Author
Laura Ciocan writes for dietsindex.com where you can find more information about the dietary options.
Please feel free to use this article in your Newsletter or on your website. If you use this article, please include the resource box and send a brief message to let me know where it appeared: mailto:[email protected].
By: admin
About the Author:
When Emotional Eating Becomes an Eating Disorder
More and more people are starting to recognize that they eat in response to emotions and moods. It makes perfect sense! We are subconsciously conditioned that food makes us feel good. From the time we put our favorite foods in our mouth we get an immediate feel good endorphin release and then to top it off we also can get a feel good serotonin surge. There is no doubt about it, food feels good.
However, there is a fine line between those casual emotional eaters and a full blown eating disorder. This specific kind of eating disorder has been called a "binge eating disorder" or "compulsive overeating". This type of eating goes beyond your basic emotional eaters. So, how can you tell if you are a casual emotional eater or if you have an eating disorder?
Characteristics of a binge eating disorder:If you have any of these characteristics you may have an eating disorder.
? Regular bingeing episodes (eating large quantities of food rapidly)? Feel out of control with food? Feel obsessed about food and think about it all day? Hide food in your house so others won’t see what you are eating? Eat in hiding? Get up regularly in the middle of the night to eat? Go through different fast food restaurants multiple times a day? Have experienced a traumatic event such as physical or sexual abuse
If you have some of these characteristics the most important thing is to not go on a diet and seek the appropriate help. Diets won’t help in these circumstances and actually may do even further damage. Seek help through a licensed therapist who is trained in eating issues. If you are not ready for that step then here are some wonderful book resources that may be helpful for you.
Books:Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch
Breaking Free From Emotional Eating by Geneen Roth
When Food is Love by Geneen Roth
Feeding the Hungry Heart by Geneen Roth
Geneen Roth also has workshops and audio programs you can sign up for on her website at: www.geneenroth.com
Many people suffer from binge eating disorders and yet they don’t know it because it is not as main-stream as bulimia and anorexia. The most important thing is to not feel shame about this and seek out the help you need so you can create a new and healthy relationship with food.
?, 2005 Meri Raffetto
Meri Raffetto is a Registered Dietitian and a recognized professional in the area of nutrition and wellness.Learn about her online weight loss programs and sign up for her free monthly newsletter to receive nutrition tips, healthy recipes, and more at reallivingnutrition.com.
By: admin
About the Author: