Fat Where it Counts
Wed 12 Sep 2007
A recent Canadian study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that different ethnic groups have the tendency to gain fat where it can do more damage. It was found that people of Chinese and South Asian decent tend to have more inner abdominal fat, otherwise known as visceral fat, than those of European heritage. This larger amount of visceral fat will contribute to the Asian population having increased risks for heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
It is a worry by those conducting the study that our current methods of measuring BMI may not be sufficient to the Asian population in our communities. The most commonly used technique in the health and fitness world today is to “pinch” the fat from the exterior and take a measurement. This works for those of us that are Caucasian. Visceral fat; however, can not be measured in the same method. This form of fat hugs your internal organs and thus can not be measured by being “pinched”. “If we wait until Asians reach the same size of Europeans,” Lear Continued “they are going toe at a higher risk than the Europeans and may already present with diabetes or high cholesterol”.
There is already speculation amongst us in the health field that our methods of measuring BMI are not sufficient for everyone in our population. This study shows that we need to develop other ways to ensure we are getting accurate readings for EVERYONE.
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