DIVAisms Feature Article NEW YORK - Exercise may be
especially helpful in reducing the size of fat cells around the waistline —
more so than diet alone, a study suggests. That’s important, because fat
specifically in the abdomen has been linked to the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Among
a group of obese women who were placed on a regimen of calorie cutting alone or
diet plus exercise, those who exercised showed a reduction in the size of fat
cells around the abdomen. Women who only dieted showed no such change. In
contrast, both groups trimmed about the same amount from fat cells in the hip
area. The findings suggest that
exercise may “preferentially increase” the body’s breakdown of fat cells in the
abdomen, said lead study author Dr. Tongjian You. It’s possible, for instance,
that hormonal factors cause fat cells in the abdomen and hip area to have
different metabolic responses to diet and exercise, he told Reuters Health. The
bottom line for people trying to shed pounds is that both exercise and diet are
important, and exercise may be particularly key in the ultimate distribution of
a person’s body fat, You said. The
researcher and his colleagues at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, report the findings in the International Journal
of Obesity. The
study included 45 obese middle-aged women who were randomly assigned to one of
three groups: one that cut calorie intake alone; one that cut calories and
walked at a moderate pace three days per week; and a third that dieted and
walked at a more intense pace three days a week.
After 20 weeks, all three
groups showed improvements in their weight and body fat percentage. But when
the researchers took samples of body fat from just below the skin’s surface,
the differences between exercisers and non-exercisers emerged. Women
in both exercise groups showed about an 18 percent reduction in the size of
abdominal fat cells, whereas dieters showed no change. Losing
abdominal fat is more than a matter of fitting into a smaller dress. Research
shows that people who are “apple-shaped” are more likely to develop diabetes
and heart disease than “pear-shaped” individuals, who carry much of their fat
below the waist. So
people who include exercise in their weight-loss plan may lower their risk of
such diseases to a greater degree, You said. What’s more, he noted, even if
people fail to lose a significant amount of weight with regular exercise, the
changes in abdominal fat cells might still benefit their health. Preheat the oven to 350. Combine the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and nutmeg in a bowl and set aside. In a large bowl, combine the margarine, sugars, egg, egg white, and vanilla and beat with an electric mixer until well mixed. Add the flour mixture and beat until all the flour is combined. Stir in the oats, raisins, and cranberries with a mixing spoon until incorporated. Drop the dough, one teaspoonful at a time, onto a baking sheet covered with either a non-stick mat or parchment paper. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until just browned. Remove from the sheet to cool. Makes about 4 dozen. Serving Size: 2 Cookies. Per serving: 101 Calories (kcal); 1g Total Fat; (7% calories from fat); 2g Protein; 18g Carbohydrate; 8mg Cholesterol; 63mg Sodium |
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Shana, Bonnie & Carol are available for any help, questions or comments!
"Exercise is a hard teacher. She gives the tests first, the lesson afterwards."
Looking Ahead