For many years experts thought apple-shaped bodies worries\’ were greater. The thinking was, fat stored in the stomach = a higher risk for heart disease and diabetes.

It was believed pear-shaped people storing their fat in the buttocks, hips and thighs were protected from those problems.

A recent study though, shows what was previously believed about \”pear shapes\” may be wrong.

Experts found, through this study, that both groups had an increased risk of metabolic syndrome.  This is a group of risk factors: high blood pressure, lower \”good\” cholesterol, and high fasting blood glucose, all which can lead to heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

This stored fat in the buttocks, doesn\’t just sit there.  It releases chemerin and omentin-1, two proteins.  High chemerin tends to bring about high blood pressure, increased insulin resistance, inflammation, high triglycerides, and lower \”good\” cholesterol.

If you carry extra weight, losing some will help lower these protein levels, decreasing your risk of heart disease.  You need to focus on a whole body exercise routine and not just try to focus on certain \”spots\” of the body for weight loss.

Sleeping less than seven or more than nine hours can actually add to weight loss troubles.  7-8 hours a night seems to be the optimum amount of sleep.

Increasing your fiber intake will help manage a growing belly.  Nuts, beans, dried peas, flaxseed, lentils, oatmeal, oat cereals, psyllium, carrots, celery, cucumbers, apples, pears, blueberries, and strawberries are all good sources of this fiber.

source:  Fall 2013 Diabetes & You, author: Janis Roszler