Hip Fat Good, Stomach Fat Bad

Just as we thought the debate over the longevity of slightly overweight people vs. that of people of normal weight was coming to an end, the Danes have thrown the conclusions of a new study into the ring. This one, conducted by the Institute of Preventative Medicine in Copenhagen, finds that women with wider hips live longer than slimmer women, and appeared to be better protected against heart conditions. As the BBC reports, the researchers are persauded that hip fat contains a beneficial natural anti-inflammatory, called adiponectin, that can prevent arteries from swelling up and becoming blocked. The BBC quotes Berit Heitmann, who led the study, warning that what fat on the hips appears to be a good thing, fat on the stomach is not. Heitmann said fat cells in the stomach produce chemicals that can damage the insulin system, raising the risk of diabetes and heart disease.