Media Note: Grabbable gut outside means toxic fat inside

27/07/2017

If you are covering the latest news regarding Auckland University’s study highlighting Australia as one of the worst countries for carrying excess stomach fat, Mr Steve Pratt, LiveLighter’s Nutritional and Physical Activity Manager, is available for comment on the following:

• Overweight and obesity rates are at alarming levels and diseases such as fatty liver disease affects one in four adults and one in eight adolescents in Australia.
• This study confirms what we know about carrying extra weight. It increases our risk of developing:
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Heart disease
  • Certain cancers (including cancers of the oesophagus, pancreas, bowel and breast)
  • Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
  • It also increases the chance of developing high blood pressure, gall bladder disease, gout, impaired fertility, lower back pain, osteoarthritis and many other health problems.
• We know that our risk of chronic disease depends on a number of factors, including how much extra weight is being carried and where that fat is stored. Storing fat around the waist is a sign that there could be visceral fat. Visceral fat produces chemicals and hormones that can be damaging to our body. That’s why we call it toxic fat.
• How do you know if you’re at risk? 
  Not everyone who is carrying extra weight is unhealthy, or everyone who is thin is healthy. Eating well and being physically active will improve health, regardless of weight or shape. Healthy living is important for everyone, we all need to eat less junk, enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods and be more active. For more information visit www.livelighter.com.au .
  
  More information
  Find out if you’re carrying extra weight by measuring waist circumference or body mass index (BMI). Waist is a better test of whether there’s a risk of toxic fat related disease. That’s because waist measurement is a good gage of how much fat is on a person’s organs (toxic visceral fat).

 

Contact:
Michelle Weall, Marketing & Communications Manager E: Michelle.Weall@heartfoundation.org.au