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Fat Distribution Important for Older Women's Heart Health

By: Susan Aldridge, PhD, Health and Age

March 18, 2003

A new study shows that location of fat is more important than overall obesity when looking at heart disease risk in women over 60.
We already know that obesity is a risk factor for heart disease. But there is much more to it than this, say researchers in Denmark. It is where the fat is located that's important, not its overall amount.

They studied a group of 1,356 women aged between 60 and 85 and measured their body fat distribution, as well as the amount of atherosclerosis in the abdominal part of the aorta. This latter measure allowed an assessment of the degree of fatty build up in the arteries.

The women were divided into four groups, depending on the amount of central and the amount of peripheral fat they carried. Central fat is carried around the abdomen and has already been shown to be a health risk. Peripheral fat is found on the arms, legs, buttocks, and hips. The four groups were: lean women, women with low central fat and high peripheral fat, women with high central fat and low peripheral fat, and obese women with high levels of both kinds of fat.

Women with high central fat and low peripheral fat had the most atherosclerosis, as well as high blood sugar and high cholesterol. Women with high peripheral fat and low central fat had the best blood sugar metabolism. Obese women had less atherosclerosis than expected. This suggests that peripheral fat behaves differently from central fat and may even have a protective role. But since we can't choose our body shape, it's still a good idea to keep weight in check.