UK Study Reveals Diet and Exercise Combat Harmful Belly Fat

Research from the United Kingdom indicates that a combination of a healthier diet and increased physical activity can significantly reduce the accumulation of visceral fat, which poses greater health risks compared to other types of fat. The findings suggest that improving dietary habits and exercise routines may lower the risk of metabolic diseases, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

The study, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, followed over 7,200 middle-aged adults in the UK for an average of seven years. Researchers discovered that participants who adopted healthier eating habits and engaged in regular exercise experienced slower weight gain. This included both subcutaneous fat, which is located just beneath the skin, and visceral fat, the denser fat surrounding internal organs. Notably, those who combined diet improvements with exercise fared even better.

Dr. Shayan Aryannezhad, a researcher at the University of Oxford, emphasized the importance of understanding fat distribution in relation to overall health. “When people talk about changes in body weight, they often refer to a single number on the scale. But not all weight loss or gain is the same,” he stated. The study revealed that individuals who maintained a healthier lifestyle gained, on average, 1.9 kilograms less total body fat and 150 grams less visceral fat compared to those with less healthy habits. This translates to approximately 7 percent of total body fat and 16 percent of visceral fat.

The study’s results remained significant even after adjusting for body mass index (BMI), a common indicator of obesity. This suggests that visceral fat is the first type of fat to decrease when individuals adopt healthier lifestyles.

Dr. Nita Forouhi, a professor of population health and nutrition at the University of Cambridge, noted that these findings underscore the potential benefits of improving diet and exercise during midlife. “These changes can not only aid in weight loss but may also lower the risk of metabolic diseases and promote healthier ageing,” she explained.

Despite the challenges posed by environments that encourage unhealthy eating and sedentary behavior, Dr. Forouhi encourages making small, sustained changes to diet and physical activity. “There is benefit from making small, sustained changes that lead to both healthier diets and increased energy expenditure,” she added.

Overall, the study highlights the critical role of lifestyle choices in managing visceral fat, promoting not only better physical health but also enhancing the quality of life as individuals age. By prioritizing a balanced diet and regular exercise, individuals may significantly mitigate the risks associated with harmful fat accumulation.