Your body shape reveals whether you are at risk for diabetes and heart disease.
If your body is pear-shaped, it means you're less prone to heart disease and diabetes, new research shows.
A study involving more than 430.000 people showed that the "apple" body shape - more rounded on the stomach - exposes people to a greater risk of high blood pressure, increased cholesterol levels. These people also have a higher risk of insulin intolerance, which makes it harder for their bodies to process sugar.
Experts have known for years that there is a connection between body shape and health. This is the first time they have discovered an unusual connection between the "apple" build and coronary heart disease, as well as type 2 diabetes, which is associated with obesity.
Experts believe that the reason for this is that this type of body includes excess fat on the stomach, which is "wrapped" around the vital organs.
It produces hormones and other chemicals that affect blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels controlled by insulin.
Obesity, which is most often defined by body mass index, is the leading cause of type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease.
However, body mass index cannot determine the distribution of fat in the body. For some, the fat is proportionally distributed, for others it accumulates on the thighs and buttocks, for example, and for people with an "apple" type of build, on the stomach, reports Mondo.
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