PUBLISHED 09/11/2006
No, doughnuts don't go to thighs, and beer doesn't go to bellies. Eating more calories than you burn-no matter where those calories come from-is ultimately the reason you get fat. But genetics has a profound influence on where we tend to store excess fat. So when you continually overeat, your genes may predispose you to store those extra calories first around specific areas like your waist, thighs, underarms, or rear.
While no one wants additional pounds on the hips and thighs, carrying extra fat in these areas doesn't present as big a health threat as having too much weight around the middle. Belly fat can increase your risk for diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, and high blood pressure. If your waistline is bigger than it should be, you need to take in fewer calories than you burn and adopt a diet that's rich in wholesome carbohydrates. Researchers at Tufts University found that people who ate a carbohydrate-rich diet of mostly fruits, beans, vegetables, and whole grains had the smallest waistlines.
