A recent study conducted in the United Kingdom has revealed that a combination of improved diet and increased physical activity can significantly reduce harmful visceral fat, which is linked to higher risks of metabolic diseases. The research underscores the importance of not just weight loss, but also the location of fat storage in the body.
The study, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, tracked over 7,200 middle-aged adults in the UK for an average of seven years. Researchers found that those who adopted healthier eating habits and engaged in regular exercise experienced slower weight gain in both subcutaneous and visceral fat. This group also showed a lower risk of developing fatty liver disease compared to individuals who did not modify their lifestyles.
Dr. Shayan Aryannezhad, a researcher at the University of Oxford and one of the study’s authors, emphasized that the focus should not solely be on the numbers on the scale. “When people talk about changes in body weight, they often refer to a single number on the scale. But not all weight loss or gain is the same,” he explained. He further noted that the combination of a better diet and increased physical activity effectively alters both the amount and distribution of fat in the body.
Participants who engaged in both dietary improvements and physical activity averaged a gain of 1.9 kilograms less total body fat and 150 grams less visceral fat compared to those with less healthy lifestyles. This reduction equated to approximately 7 percent of total body fat and 16 percent of visceral fat, highlighting the effectiveness of lifestyle changes in managing body composition.
The study’s findings remained significant even when accounting for body mass index (BMI), a common measure of obesity. This suggests that visceral fat is one of the first types of fat to decrease when individuals adopt healthier lifestyles, making it a key target for interventions aimed at improving health outcomes.
Dr. Nita Forouhi, a professor of population health and nutrition at the University of Cambridge and co-author of the study, stated that enhancing diet and exercise during midlife not only aids in weight loss but may also lower the risk of metabolic diseases and promote healthier aging. “Despite the challenges of living in environments that promote unhealthy eating and inactivity, there is benefit from making small, sustained changes that lead to both healthier diets and increased energy expenditure,” she added.
The implications of this research are significant, especially as global obesity rates rise and the prevalence of related health issues escalates. By understanding the relationship between lifestyle choices and fat distribution, health professionals can better guide individuals toward effective strategies for improving their health.
In summary, the study highlights the critical role of diet and exercise in managing visceral fat, suggesting that even modest lifestyle changes can yield substantial health benefits. As more people become aware of these findings, there may be a greater push towards adopting healthier habits, ultimately benefiting public health on a broader scale.
