I recently wrote a blog on why weight training is good for your bones (catch it here if you missed it) and thought you might be interested to know that, contrary to popular belief, excess belly fat can actually contribute to osteoporosis.
A study presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America found that having too much abdominal fat was a clear precursor for bone damage, including loss and osteoporosis.
Obesity is defined as having a BMI of >30 and has a host of other associated health problems including asthma, cardiovascular disease, high choleasterol, diabetes, sleep apnea and joint diseases. Women with increased body weight were previously thought to be at a lower risk of bone loss, but it is now clear that the type of fat is a key factor.
Subcutaneous fat lies just below the skin's surface, whilst visceral, or intra-abdominal fat, lies deep under the muscle tissue in the abdominal cavity. The study, which used MR spectroscopy imaging and tomography to assess subject's bone marrow fat and bone mineral density, found that the people with high levels of visceral fat also had increased bone marrow fat and reduced bone mineral density, making them much more at risk of brittle bones.
It is therefore people with excess belly fat, as opposed to more superficial fat or fat around their hips, who are at heightened risk of osteoporosis and low bone mass.
The take home message? If you have fat around your belly that you know shouldn't be there, it's time to take action. A combination of sound dietary and exercise practice will address the issue, drastically reduce your health risks, and is maintainable long term.
The Phoenix Pro Team
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