Do you hate your heavy thighs and hips? If you are woman who is thinking about getting liposuction to rid yourself of the fat in your thighs, think again. Dr. Anne B. Newman, of the University of Pittsburgh found that thigh fat may be good fat (Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, August 12, 2005).

Older women with lots of fat in their thighs are at much lower risk for ''metabolic syndrome," a condition associated with high blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure that increase risk for diabetes and heart disease. The bad fat appears to be stored in the abdomen and wraps around organs. In post-menopausal women, heavy thighs and buttocks are associated with lower triglycerides, blood sugar and blood pressure. However, women who also stored lots of fat in their bellies lost much of their advantage.

We aren't sure how thigh fat prevents disease. It may be a receptacle that draws triglycerides and other fats from the

bloodstream or it may draw fat from the abdomen and around organs where it could be lethal. Sadly, there is no way to store fat only in the belly or thighs. When you gain weight, you add fat everywhere. But it's safer to look like a pear than an apple.

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