Credit: Kirsty Pargeter/Alamy
Jelly-like midsections, thunderous thighs, and muffin tops — derogatory terms abound for the parts of ourselves we feel insecure about. Many cultures view fat as, at best, mere insulation or an obstacle to be eliminated. However, it’s time to shift this perspective.
While excessive body fat is linked to various health issues such as cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes, it’s noteworthy that not all individuals with obesity experience these adverse effects. This indicates a more complex scenario at play. Our comprehensive cover story reveals that fat is far from being a passive entity. Instead, it functions as a vital, dynamic organ that collaborates with the brain and bones to support overall health.
This essential reevaluation of fat allows us to perceive obesity as a form of organ dysfunction rather than a moral failing. Such a change in perspective can shift the dialogue from stigmatization and fat-shaming to developing effective treatments for obesity. Current research is exploring innovative methods to “reprogram” dysfunctional fat cells to enhance health and even transform “unhealthy” obesity into less harmful variations.
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Fat is a crucial and vibrant part of the body, functioning as an organ that helps maintain our well-being.
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Encouragingly, this transformative approach does not necessitate drastic weight loss. Many advantages of contemporary weight loss medications seem to arise from enhancing the function and distribution of fat rather than merely promoting weight reduction.
Realizing this transformation could revolutionize not only health outcomes but also perceptions of what constitutes a healthy body shape. Yet, the phenomenal success of GLP-1 medications poses a risk of undermining the fat-positive movement and re-igniting outdated moral assessments regarding body size and self-discipline.
However, if fat can indeed be reprogrammed, more individuals may lead longer, healthier lives without the burden of self-consciousness about their size. Understanding the biology of fat and its interactions with the body is the first step towards this goal.
Source: www.newscientist.com
