New research from the United Kingdom highlights the significant impact of a healthy diet and regular exercise on reducing dangerous visceral fat, which is linked to serious metabolic diseases. The study, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, tracked over 7,200 middle-aged adults for an average of seven years. Researchers found that individuals who improved their nutrition and increased their physical activity experienced slower weight gain and a lower risk of fatty liver disease compared to those who did not make lifestyle changes.
The focus of the study is on visceral fat, which is the dense fat located around the organs in the abdomen. Unlike subcutaneous fat, which is found just beneath the skin, visceral fat poses a greater health risk. It is associated with an increased likelihood of developing conditions such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Dr. Shayan Aryannezhad, a researcher at the University of Oxford and one of the study’s authors, emphasized the importance of understanding the distinction between different types of body fat. “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. Aryannezhad noted that combining a better diet with increased physical activity is an effective strategy for improving overall health and managing where fat is stored in the body.
The study revealed that participants who adhered to healthier diets and engaged in regular exercise gained, on average, 1.9 kilograms less total body fat and 150 grams less visceral fat than those who maintained less healthy lifestyles. This reduction is equivalent to approximately 7 percent of total body fat and 16 percent of visceral fat. Importantly, these findings were consistent even after accounting for body mass index (BMI), suggesting that visceral fat tends to decrease first when individuals adopt healthier habits.
Dr. Nita Forouhi, a professor of population health and nutrition at the University of Cambridge and another author of the study, pointed out the implications of the results. She stated that enhancing diet and physical activity during midlife not only aids in weight management but may also reduce the risk of metabolic diseases and promote healthier aging. “Despite the challenges of living in environments that promote unhealthy eating and inactivity, there is benefit from making small, sustained changes that lead to both healthier diets and increased energy expenditure,” Forouhi added.
The findings underscore the importance of understanding the relationship between lifestyle choices and health outcomes. As awareness grows regarding the risks associated with visceral fat, these insights may encourage individuals to prioritize healthier eating and regular exercise as part of their daily routines.
