Curvier women 'will live longer'

BBC News ^ | 06/03/05

[TigerLikesRooster]

Last Updated: Friday, 3 June, 2005, 10:33 GMT 11:33 UK

 

Curvier women 'will live longer'

 

Catherine Zeta Jones is famed for her healthy figure

Curvy women are more likely to live longer than their slimmer counterparts, researchers have found.

Institute of Preventative Medicine in Copenhagen researchers found those with wider hips also appeared to be protected against heart conditions.

Women with a hip measurement smaller than 40 inches, or a size 14 would not have this protection, they said.

The researchers say hip fat contains a beneficial natural anti-inflammatory.

Narrow hips 'detrimental'

They said this anti-inflammatory, called adiponectin, prevents arteries swelling up and becoming blocked.

	Fat on hips is different than fat on the abdomen Dr Berit Heitmann, Institute of Preventative Medicine

The hourglass figure has been made famous by women ranging from Marilyn Monroe and Sophia Loren to Kelly Brook and Catherine Zeta Jones today.

The Danish researchers examined almost 3,000 men and women aged between 35 and 65 from 1987 to 1988

They measured height, weight and body mass index - calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by the square of your height in metres.

They then looked at Danish health registers up until the end of 1998 to look at how many of the men and women had cardiovascular problems, and up to 2001 to see how many had died.

Compared to the group of women with the smallest hip circumferences, women with the biggest were found to have an 87% reduction in deaths.

They also had an 86% reduced risk of having coronary heart disease and a 46% reduction in the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, according to the researchers.

Previous studies have found both men and women with small hips are at an increased risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure and gall bladder disease.

However the study, which has been published in Obesity Research, found a wider hip circumference was not linked with better heart health in men.

'Apple-shape' risk

Professor Berit Heitmann, who led the study, said: "It seems that the protection is not a matter of wide hips, it's the detrimental effect of narrow hips with a lack of muscle fat, or bone or a combination of both.

She added: "Fat on hips is different than fat on the abdomen. If you do not have enough of this fat you may risk heart attacks."

Carrying excess fat around the stomach, being 'apple shaped', is already known to be potentially damaging to health.

Fat cells in this part of the body pump out chemicals that can damage the insulin system, raising the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

Belinda Linden, of the British Heart Foundation said: "It has been widely reported that if you are apple-shaped, your risk of developing cardiovascular disease is likely to be greater than if you are pear-shaped.

"This study provides additional evidence of the association between hip circumference and cardiovascular protection among women."

But she added: "It is important to consider both your body weight and shape in tandem. Controlling both by eating less and being more active is the best way to reduce your risk of heart and circulatory disease."

[chris1]

I guess we all have our personal likes and dislikes. My friend who is a lot taller than me likes tiny little skinny women. I find it odd because even though I am pretty big guy, he is bigger than me but I like the taller curvey women while he likes the itsy bitsy types.

[whd23]

Speaking of Hillary, does anyone have those photos of her from years ago:

1)In a body suit jogging during the '92(I believe campaign.

2)From behind in a bathing suit, climbing up the ladder in a boat.

Good Lord! Why would you want those pictures? Did you run out of Ipecac syrup?

[Petronski]

I've heard that some men like a fit, slender woman.

Fit and slender is not what is meant here, if you don't mind my interruption. Between "fat" and "skinny" is "healthy." I can't speak for everyone else, but when I say I'm turned off by skinny chicks, I'm talking about "Meth-chic" bony little waifs with sallow cheeks and obvious food "issues." That's a far cry from someone who is trim and fit.

Chacun a son gout.

Bien sur!

[chris1]

Hillary is not attractive, she is nasty. Her personality totally makes her unattractive.

I don't get why womens' magazines continue to lie to women about this whole skinny body nonsense. They are making it hard for many women to appreciate their bodies and make it hard for us guys to be taken seriously when we give compliments.

My girlfriend told me there are only three types they like her body:

1. Puerto Ricans;
2. Blacks; and
3. Myself.

I asked her other than myself, does it matter if some uptight WASP or little skinny Jewish guy (She is Jewish) does not like your body type. "F'em, I'll take you just the way you are" is my response.

[Capriole]

Well, I qualify in the big hips department! ;-) But that's not fat, it's basic female bone structure.

[Dont_Tread_On_Me_888]

I guess this means Monroe would have lived a long life if Kennedy's hoods didn't murder her.

[Petronski]

Bony and gaunt is no way to go through life, ladies. Better to be round and curvy if that's the way God made ya.


(Not fat, necessarily, but round, and curvy.)

[bigsigh]

Hey, dos were not your usual run-of-the-mill hoods, dey wuz classy guys.

[chris1]

Exactly. Curvey hips are very sexy to most guys. Don't hide it, appreciate it.

[dixiechick2000]

"Ha! I promise that one's not my fault!"


ROTFLOL at you two! ;o)

[Colonel_Flagg]

I'll say it was a bad diet. On my computer, she disappeared :)

Sorry. Had to. I know you posted the picture downthread!

[fso301]

From an evolutionary standpoint, people able to put on fat were better able to survive periodic famines and other hardship.

[dixiechick2000]

You are fortunate to have two such lovely women close to you.


"You and Annette are blessed with thin genes obviously."


I agree...it's genetic.
My grandmothers on both sides of my family, and my
great grandmothers were small, and ate like birds.

I think we have small stomachs. ;o)

[TigerLikesRooster]

Re #112

Especially in cold arid polar region.

People crave fats and sugar for the reason you described. It is just that those substances are too abundant these days. They ended up as health hazard now. However, this would be the first time in history.

When food becomes scarce again, waif looks will disappear in an instant and curvy traditional beauty looks will be in.

One thing is for certain. At any age, to be qualified as a beauty is extremely hard. When food is abundant, one should be extremely thin. When it is scarce, one has to be curvy and even plump. Go to any traditional societies and show them the pictures of Marilyn Monroe and Kate Moss. In all likelihood, the former will get near-universal approval while the latter will get unanimous thumbs down.

[rdb3]

Better to be round and curvy if that's the way God made ya.

Sho ya right.

[eddie willers]

I guess this means Monroe would have lived a long life if Kennedy's hoods didn't murder her.

LOL..."Happy BIRTH-day....MIS-ter PREZ-a-dent"

[SaveTheChief]

She needs serious help. It's sad when beautiful young women does this to themselves.

[chris1]

Give me a round rump over a flat board any day!

Its nasty to see some of these girls where those jeans that make look like they have no butt whatsoever. The last thing on my mind when I see that is to get closer. Its just downright nasty. These girls need a burger or something or should at least get to the gym and start doing squats.

[TADSLOS]

Here's a pic of my curvy wife:

and here's a pic of me...yeah, that's the ticket...

[pissant]

ROFL! I think you coulda done be better for yourself though