Apple or pear?
The body shape determines predisposition to certain disease. When the belly is protuberant and a lot of fat deposit is around the waist line, it resembles the shape of apple; called as "android" type or "central obesity.
In contrast to the apple shape, if fat accumulates around the hip, it is called as "gynecoid" or "gluteofemoral fat"; and resembles the shape of a pear.
In general, though the obesity as a whole responsible for predisposition to certain diseases like diabetes and hypertension; it has been seen that apples are more prone to these diseases than the pears.
It has been seen that the type of fat in gynecoid is more of brown fat deposit, whereas that of android type is more of white fat deposit. Brown fat metabolises fast and gives energy but not the white fat.
The waist-to hip ratio (WHR) measure is a more accurate way to determine body fat distribution. It is determined by measuring the waist size divided by the hip size. Women whose WHR is higher than 0.85 are at increased health risk; so are men with a WHR higher than 1.0.
High blood pressure in the kidneys of people with apple-shaped bodies may be responsible for their increased risk of developing kidney disease later in life, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN).
Higher waist-to-hip ratios were associated with lower kidney function, lower kidney blood flow, and higher blood pressure within the kidneys.
They found that apple-shaped persons -- even if totally healthy and with a normal blood pressure -- have an elevated blood pressure in their kidneys. When they are also overweight or obese, this is even worse.
They found that apple-shaped persons -- even if totally healthy and with a normal blood pressure -- have an elevated blood pressure in their kidneys. When they are also overweight or obese, this is even worse.
The findings suggest that these individuals may benefit from treatments that reduce kidney blood pressure. Lifestyle change, physical activity and modification of diet can prevent diabetes and hypertension.
