Is Your Body Shaped Like A Pear? You May Be Suffering From Metabolically Healthy Obesity

According to a doctor, when a person suffers from metabolically healthy obesity, most of the fat accumulates in the hips and legs. Metabolically healthy obese people tend to have normal insulin sensitivity, normal blood pressure and healthy levels of cholesterol.

What is metabolically healthy obesity? While obesity is a complex health condition that is strongly associated with type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol levels, hypertension, breathing disorders, stroke and other such metabolic diseases, many people continue to live healthy lives without suffering from any of these associated conditions despite being obese. What could explain this? Dr Sharad Sharma, consultant laparoscopic and bariatric surgery at Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi, Navi Mumbai explains that there are two types of obesity: unhealthy obesity and metabolically healthy obesity (MHO). A person suffering from unhealthy obesity would, for instance, be typically centrally obese or have an apple-shaped body. The majority of the fat would be accumulated in the abdomen region -- also known as 'visceral obesity'. Individuals with this obesity gradually develop insulin resistance with high levels of pro-inflammatory markers in the blood and abnormal cholesterol levels which, in turn, can cause type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and even stroke.

What About Metabolically Healthy Obesity?

Dr Sharma adds that a person suffering from MHO would have a body shaped like a 'pear', meaning most of the fat will accumulate in the region of the hips and legs. "Metabolically healthy obese people may have normal insulin sensitivity, a normal blood pressure and healthy levels of cholesterol. Additionally, if investigated they would not show any rise in pro-inflammatory markers in the blood, nor would they be suffering from type 2 diabetes."

Floating a theory, the doctor says there are various kinds of 'fat cells' or 'adipose tissues' in the body, which impact metabolic health. "The white adipose tissue, found in the abdomen, plays a role in energy storage. But, it can also cause metabolic dysfunction and is unhealthy. In contrast, brown adipose tissue, found in the subcutaneous region, is known to have thermogenic benefits. It regulates glucose metabolism and is also known as metabolically healthy fat. The balance between different types of adipose tissues influences how obesity develops. Managing obesity, therefore, entails balancing the amount and distribution of these tissues," the doctor states.

Is Metabolically Healthy Obesity In Our Control?

According to Dr Sharma, MHO is genetically determined and largely not in our control. "Those who fall in this category need to maintain this healthy fat to remain disease-free. As for those who fall in the unhealthy obese category, it is important for them to cultivate and maintain healthy habits, like following a healthy diet by consuming nutritious food that is also rich in protein. They should also lead an active lifestyle by exercising regularly, remaining stress-free and sleeping well."

The doctor concludes by saying that even though MHO is genetically determined and offers some protection, it does not mean it can replace the need for proactive health management to ensure overall and long-term metabolic wellness.

"The 'thin fat' (individuals with normal BMI, but high fat percentage) body type, which is seen in the Indian subcontinent is the result of visceral fat deposit. This can lead to significant health concerns as people age. Everyone should lead a healthy lifestyle with ample amount of movement, and consume healthy, non-processed foods that have significant nutritional value."