Hip fat is cool

It’s official. Scientists now believe the fat found on our thighs and hips (subcutaneous fat) may not be bad for us.

This is as opposed to the fat found around our internal organs (visceral fat), which increases the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. In their studies, researchers found mice that received subcutaneous fat into their visceral region ended up losing weight and developed improved insulin sensitivity, while mice that received visceral fat transplants did not. It would seem, then, that subcutaneous fat differs from visceral fat not only in terms of location but also in characteristics, and the fat may in some way actually help the body convert glucose into energy.

Source: Cell Metabolism, May 2008