This study examined the concept of “fat and fit” by measuring total fat, visceral fat and liver fat in men who were slim, fit and active (the slim-fit), men who were slim, unfit and inactive (the slim-unfit), men who were fat, fit and active (the fat-fit), and men who were fat, unfit and inactive (the fat-unfit). In this sample of 50 participants equally distributed in each group, it was found that both visceral fat and liver fat were lower in men who were fat, fit and active compared to men who were fat, unfit and inactive (p<0.01). Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by the “gold standard” measure: maximal oxygen consumption. Regional adipose tissue distribution was measured by magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy and waist girth was used to classify slim men (≤90 cm) and fat men (≥100 cm). Waist girth and VO2 max combined explained 70% of the variance in visceral fat in this study. In contrast, waist girth was the only predictor of liver fat, explaining 25% of the variance. These findings suggest that men who are fat, fit and active may be at lower risk of chronic diseases because they have less visceral fat and liver fat than fat and unfit individuals.
Documentation centre