Thin people may be fat inside

by Brian White (Subscribe to Brian White's posts)
May 14th 2007 8:24AM

Even though you may be slim on the outside, the presence of too much fat on the inside (as in surrounding vital organs) can be as dangerous as too much fat on the outside, according to British scientists.

Because it is not seen, internal fat is often not recognized as a problem for many people (until it is too late). But a simple MRI image can show people where deposits of internal fat are excessive.

A scary conclusion? People who maintain their weight through diet rather than exercise are likely to have major deposits of internal fat, even if they are otherwise slim. That's a little scary, eh? According to the British researchers who authored this study, "The whole concept of being fat needs to be redefined."

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Comments (28)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Kelly Jad'on 5-17-2007 @ 8:16AM

There's a new book out this week: Fit To Live by Dr. Pamela Peeke. I interviewed her recently and she expressed her concern over Toxic Fat that is deep inside the abdomen. Women need to take a tape measure and count the inches across the belly button while lying flat on the back. (See pg. 9 of Fit To Live) The bottom line is this: Toxic Fat leads to such problems as cardiovascular disease and cancer. Dr. Peeke states that "one in four of us is suffering from Toxic Belly Fat Syndrome and most of us don't know it."
Kelly Jad'on/Publisher
www.BasilAndSpice.com

Irene Kolbisen 5-17-2007 @ 10:45AM

Finally someone is giving out this information. As a former coach and PE teacher I tried to inform my students that daily,pleasant EXERCISE is the best vitiamin pill ever. Girls who diet not only starve their bodies of nutrients for life, but develop many problems/diseases later which cannot be rectifyed.

Rob R. 5-17-2007 @ 11:52AM

I always knew that there was probably fat in places we don't look. My question, please...... How do I lose THAT fat?

Robert R.
Sherman Oaks, CA

David 5-17-2007 @ 12:24PM

I guess I can't be skinny and not have the "do gooders" telling me what to eat. It gets really irritating having fat people tell me what I have to do to stay slim. Fat on the inside? Whew, that's really a stretch. Sure, maybe there's a small problem in a small portion of the population, but taking the snickers bars our of the vending machine because other people are too fat, is going too far. Just because you can 't control yourselves, doesn't mean I can't have a candy bar!
People get jealous, and start telling me all sorts of reasons why I'm dying. Sorry, I'm going to have that cheesecake in front of you. It's your problem, not mine! Let me eat in peace!

marie 5-17-2007 @ 12:18PM

To Robert R:
Your question of "how do I lose that fat" has been answered in the article [quote] "People who maintain their weight through diet rather than exercise are likely to have major deposits of internal fat". Key word: Exercise!

Terri 5-18-2007 @ 8:46AM

David #1 Get over yourself #2 What this article is talking about is now being taught in Health classes.
Abdominal fat, especially for middle aged men, is a possible cause of adult diabetes, and heart problems. The article is warning non-obese people that exercise is needed (regardless of weight) to keep that type of fat from collecting in the body. That's 30-60 minutes daily.
So next time when your whiny tush goes to the vending machine for the Snickers...walk around the whole building 3 times first.

Crabby McSlacker 5-17-2007 @ 1:47PM

Uh, David, no one wants to take your Snickers bar away. Eat all the crap you want, really. Knock yourself out.

I read somewhere that high intensity exercise was particularly good at getting rid of this kind of fat. (Like interval training, I think). It was an actual Reputable Study by Real Scientists--but of course I don't have the link handy.

If you want my rather mean-spirited rambling thoughts about this study, I also blogged about it over at my place, http://crankyfitness.blogspot.com/

But there's a lot more actual information over here.

Amy 5-17-2007 @ 4:14PM

Good thing David isn't bitter AT ALL. He must be carrying his hidden fat over his brain. Or over his chip on his shoulder.

Speaking of chip... Dip anyone ?

Carrie 5-18-2007 @ 9:31AM

Can you imagine what's going to happen when all the obsessive people read this? I'm picturing all of them looking like skeletons with skin--but they're all proud as they tell how they lost all their inner fat! Sometimes information is better left unprinted and only should be given to those with the need to know it. We have so many problematic people in this country...why do we insist on creating more by presenting them with too much information and not explain in the same article what to do with it? Not everybody will follow through to get all the facts by looking up the other articles and chapters that explain this fat! I wish there was more thought put into what should and should not be printed.

Jim 5-17-2007 @ 5:38PM

I am 41 years old, and 15 years ago, I had a total hip replacement due to an accident. I was so physically active that I have worn it out and it now needs to be replaced again, so I've slowed way down since the pain started this past December. I wonder how much fat I have on my insides as a result? I am 5' 9" and weigh 146 lbs. Also, I had liposuction last July because no matter how many crunches I did, no matter how much cardio I did, the ugly love handles wouldn't budge (I've had these ugly pockets of fat since birth and have always been thin otherwise) so now I am really wondering if I am still fat, but on the inside now instead of outside. Anyone want to take a guess?

Debby 5-17-2007 @ 6:07PM

This short article seems to be well intended, but it also brings to light more and more "panic" as to weight and health - "Will I EVER be thin enough or healthy enough?" Or perhaps better - "Will I ever be GOOD enough?" I'm 53, work out a lot, also use dumbbells, and walk/run a great deal. At 5'3", 104 lbs, and a 24" waist, it still leaves me wondering. With precautions - Foxamax/bone density, eating right, and complete physicals each year - what else can I do? Follow dr's advice and keep active...but after stumbling upon this article, I sigh a pretty big sigh...Debby

Carrie 5-17-2007 @ 6:00PM

See? Already someone who's probably perfect is worried!!! I rest my case.

Debby 5-17-2007 @ 6:13PM

Sorry - I tried to add something and ended up resending my past post! Carrie, your thoughts were very welcome, and I appreciate your earlier post and your reply to what I wrote. I know I'm doing what I feel, in my thin gut, is best, and that is where my mind is focusing - now and in the future. Chances are, there will be some "part" that will wear out or need tweaking, and my inner fat will never be given a nano-second of thought! I'm off to walk four miles just as soon as I find where I put those 5 lb dumbbells I take with me! I'm fine...silly article!

Jamie Lynne Thames 5-17-2007 @ 6:40PM

Debby isn't insane at all.

No really. She isn't. I bet she is not on meds, either.

This whole thing makes me want to vomit. And I don't normally purge at this time either.

=joke=

zen 5-17-2007 @ 6:46PM

This is just some new hollywood fad that people are going to be into because the last one lost it's limelight. The anorexic's don't need another excuse. Plus, this is from Brittish Scientists.

Erika 5-17-2007 @ 7:04PM

As a Life Coach for people struggling with eating disorders (e/d) - all types, childhood sexual abuse, children's rights, chronic pain, etc., This article will not help those who are struggling with eating disorders. Debby, I like what you had to say and agree with you.

ron 5-17-2007 @ 7:15PM

erika erika e/d i believe stand for erectile dysfunction not eating disorder as u stated in your post

Rachel 5-17-2007 @ 7:26PM

Now, what about people who are phat on the inside? Is there a way to know? I have always felt that I was phat on the inside but never had the courage to speak out....

Linda 5-17-2007 @ 7:37PM

Well you can all say what you want, but if all my frinds I am the only one who id over wieght and has never smoked or drank or abused narcotics, and every one of them has health issues, yes they are thin but always running to doctor and take pills for every reaon, i take nothing I eat well and excercise everyday.I have never have high Bp or high chlosetrol all of them have high colesterol and get this I had less body fat then one of them and they were ticked ove that.So I'll stay s I am, thank you for the advice.We all all between 45 and 50 years old.

Natalia, Law. 5-17-2007 @ 7:43PM

I think what we could all grasp from this article is that there is a very large portion of the population that is eating in an unhealthy fashion. Whether we appear thin or overweight its a challenge for everyone to sit down and examine the products we put in our mouth day in and day out, and the "inner" fat alluded to is visible in our arteries, liver, colon, intestines, and skin. I agree with many of you, a number of the people attracted to this article have read it because they are obsessed with dieting. Case in point, I suffered from annorexia 9 years ago and its a continuing struggle. Add on the ridiculous standards of Hollywood and the fashion industry, and my insane Colombian family who calls me fat when I weigh 115 lbs at 5'3". Women especially should do some introspective "mens sana in corpore sano": eat healthier, indulge every once in a while without feeling guilt, excercise moderately not obsessively, and get a good night's rest. All of these activities promote a healthier inner 'us'.

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