Walk Across Arkansas
Promotional Material - Media Article
"Apples Have More Health Risks Than Pears"
 Overweight people clearly have more health problems than
normal weight people. However, mostly carrying the excess weight in the
abdominal area is associated with more health risks than mostly carrying the
excess weight in the lower body. People with more upper body fat are apple
shaped, while people with more lower body fat are shaped like pears.
Researchers are not sure why abdominal obesity is so much
more risky, but the risk is definitely real. Most agree that abdominal fat cells
are much larger and break down easier than those in the hips and legs. The
broken down fat from these abdominal fat cells floods into the blood stream and
keeps insulin from working. The body produces more and more insulin, but the
insulin cannot help sugar get from the blood into muscles. Eventually, the
person will be diagnosed as a diabetic and has a much higher risk of heart
disease.
Why do some people carry excess weight in their abdomen and
others in their hips and legs? No one really knows the answer yet. Some research
indicates a genetic cause and some shows a relationship to the stress hormone,
cortisol.
Whatever the cause of abdominal fat, losing it is essential
to reduce health risks such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
Brisk walking for 30 to 45 minutes each day and calorie reduction are the best
ways to reduce abdominal fat.
Sounds simple. Walking and calorie reduction are not easy-a
fact well known by anyone who has tried it. For most people, both of these
changes are easier if they can find someone who needs to do the same things.
Walk Across Arkansas is going to start ____________________. This is an activity
program you can do with others. All you need is 7 other people and some walking
shoes. Call your county Extension agent, ____________________, at
____________________to sign up.
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