Weight Gain

[jiggy-gb]

I know everyone gathers fat in differnet places, but what is it that makes that happen do you think? Most of my weight goes on my butt, lol, and 3 friends are all different too, 1 is very top heavy, 1 gains on her belly and the last 1 ends up with thunder thighs! Does this say anything about overall health?

[Octavius]

In addition to environment, genetics and other factors, hormonal differences contribute to the difference in body-fat distribution.

In men, excess fat is usually concentrated in the abdominal and waist areas. This leads to what's called the android body type, commonly known as the apple shape. Women most often carry excess fat in their hips, thighs and buttocks, resulting in the gynoid or pear-shaped body.

Where an individual stores excess body fat is more than just a matter of appearance. People with an apple-shaped body have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease than those with a pear-shaped body. But that doesn't mean pear-shaped people are off the hook. Being overweight increases the chance for heart disease, stroke, hypertension, gall-bladder disease, osteoarthritis, breathing problems like sleep apnea, and even some forms of cancer.

[jiggy-gb]

Thank you Octavius, I suppose it's just genetical for my three friends and I all finding our extra pounds go to different places. Perhaps my friend with the extra pounds around her middle should be a bit more concerned then? There seems to be more and more ladies with beer bellies these days!