Weight training best for reducing dangerous belly fat

Abdominal fat, which is the type of fat most closely associated with increased diabetes risk and other metabolic health problems, can be best prevented with weight training, according to a new study published in Obesity.

Researchers from Harvard School of Public Health found that men who engaged in weight training had better results in decreasing age-related abdominal fat compared with men who did aerobic exercise by itself.

While aerobic activity can lead to weight loss, the study authors say that abdominal fat is a better measurement of true health.

"Because aging is associated with sarcopenia, the loss of skeletal muscle mass, relying on body weight alone is insufficient for the study of healthy aging," said lead author Rania Mekary. "Measuring waist circumference is a better indicator of healthy body composition among older adults. Engaging in resistance training or, ideally, combining it with aerobic exercise could help older adults lessen abdominal fat while increasing or preserving muscle mass."

20 minutes a day can help

In the study, men who increased their weight training by just 20 minutes a day saw less gain in their waistlines than men who increased aerobic activity alone.

The long-term nature of the 12-year study allowed researchers to determine which activities had the most significant effects on abdominal fat.

"This study underscores the importance of weight training in reducing abdominal obesity, especially among the elderly," said Frank Hu, senior author of the study. "To maintain a healthy weight and waistline, it is critical to incorporate weight training with aerobic exercise."

Source: Eurekalert