While being overweight can be detrimental to your health, having a little junk in the trunk might actually be helpful.

Researchers have long known that belly fat can raise your risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease. New research from Harvard Medical School suggests that subcutaneous fat -- the kind that tends to gather on hips and butts -- may actually help prevent type 2 diabetes.

This is great news if you've got a little extra bulk in your booty, but I wouldn't take this research as a green light to let yourself go. Eating healthful foods and maintaining a healthy weight is still your best defense against health issues like type 2 diabetes. AOL Health has some great exercises to help get your butt in shape. And remember, you can be fit and still keep your curves -- just check out the sexy stars below for proof.

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When it comes to the idea of gastric bypass surgery, I'm like a cork bobbing on water. I'd like to have a firm pro or con opinion, but there are so many things to consider. You just have to read through Karla's posts to hear a very realistic view on life after weight loss surgery. And Dr. Jonny has some serious points to consider as well. So, while a part of me would like to be anti-weight loss surgery, I know that for some people it is a very good choice. I am concerned, however, that the choice for surgery is made too rapidly.

A recent study shows that gastric bypass not only helps obese teens lose weight, it also can halt type 2 diabetes in its tracks. Those are certainly good results and have positive effects on the teens' health. But they're teenagers. And they're undergoing major, life-altering surgery.

I just hope that for everyone -- especially teens -- weight loss surgery is a last resort. All efforts to lose weight naturally should be tried first.

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Eggs have been the subject of a couple studies lately, and the reviews are mixed. First, there was a study telling us that eating eggs for breakfast can aid in weight loss. Now a new study states that eating eggs can raise your risk of type II diabetes. Nothing like a little bit of bad news with the good, huh?

In the more recent study, researchers reviewed data on both men and women for many years (20 years for the men, 12 years for the women). During the follow up period, more than 4,000 participants developed type II diabetes. It was found that the development of type II diabetes was more likely in those who frequently ate eggs. For example, men who ate one or fewer eggs per week were 9 percent more likely to develop the condition; men who ate more than seven eggs per week were 58 percent more likely to develop type II diabetes.

So which is it? Do you eat eggs more frequently in hopes that they will help you lose weight? Or do you avoid them for fear that they'll contribute to your diabetes risk? Like most things, it's best to enjoy eggs in moderation. Maybe they do aid in weight loss -- but so do lots of other healthful foods.

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