Belly Fat Myths that Need to Go Away
You know that miracle cures are too good to be true, but did you know that these other "facts" have been debunked?
By Amanda MacMillan
MYTH: Belly fat protects your bones.
It's no surprise to any of us that abdominal fat is bad for your heart and your lungs, but recent studies show that it's also detrimental to your bones. Scientists used to think overweight people (especially men) had stronger skeletons and were protected against bone loss as they aged. The latest research, however, suggests that visceral fat-the type that surrounds the organs and accumulates around the midsection-is actually associated with lower bone-mineral density in adults of both genders. A 2012 Harvard University study even found a link between stomach fat and osteoporosis in men as young as 34.
Related: 4 Lies You Need to Stop Telling Yourself
MYTH: Sipping green tea burns belly fat.
This may be true in controlled studies, but the largest analysis on this topic found that even the most promising scientific results have been "modest at best." Plus, you would have to drink about seven cups of green tea a day to match the level of catechins (antioxidant compounds thought to be responsible for tea's fat-burning potential) given to people in clinical trials-and, many bottled beverages are so processed they're unlikely to contain any antioxidant activity at all. Green tea can be a healthy drink-and a calorie-free one, if you're brewing your own and not adding sugar-but don't expect to see weight-loss results just from this one dietary change.
MYTH: A calorie is a calorie (and fat is fat).
A 2014 study from Uppsala University and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden clears up this misconception once and for all: Researchers gave 39 men daily muffins made with either saturated fat (palm oil) or unsaturated fat (sunflower oil) for seven weeks. Both groups put on weight, but men in the saturated-fat group gained significantly more around their midsection. Those who ate the unsaturated-fat muffins, on the other hand, gained weight more uniformly across their bodies, and also saw a slight increase in muscle mass.
MYTH: 'Pear' fat is healthier than 'apple' fat.
Doctors have long held the belief that the fat that accumulates around the thighs and butt isn't as dangerous as the fat that makes up muffin tops and love handles, since the latter contains metabolically active cells that promote insulin resistance and raise diabetes and heart disease risk. But a 2013 University of California Davis study suggests that gluteal fat isn't so innocent after all: In volunteers with metabolic syndrome (a condition that affects 1 in 3 American adults and is classified as having three or more risk factors for heart disease or diabetes), this tissue secreted abnormal levels of proteins that researchers believe can also lead to inflammation and insulin resistance. Excess fat is unhealthy, wherever it is on the body, says lead author Ishwarlal Jialal, M.D., Ph.D.
MYTH: Walking (or running) a mile burns 100 calories.
You've probably seen lots of estimates like this: Spin class blasts 600 calories an hour! Swim 20 laps to burn off that candy bar! But those numbers are just that-estimates-and depending on your metabolism, you may burn considerably more or less. Even two women of similar age and body-mass index may notice significant differences in calorie burn: A 2013 University of Pittsburgh study, for example, found that when African-American and Caucasian women were placed on the same diet and exercise routine for six months, the white women lost an average of seven pounds more. The black women had lower resting metabolic rates, the researchers found, and expended less daily energy. In order to lose the same amount of weight, they would need to work out more or eat less.
Related: 9 Impossible Dreams You Can Never Give Up On
MYTH: A big belly is fine as long as you have a healthy BMI.
Although body mass index is currently the best indicator of whether someone should be considered overweight or obese, experts agree that it's not foolproof. Waistline, it turns out, also plays a major role in health outcomes: In a 2014 Mayo Clinic study, men and women with a large waist circumference were more likely to die younger (and more likely to die from heart disease, respiratory problems and cancer) than their slimmer peers, even when they had BMIs in the "healthy" range.
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