Belly Fat Bad for Your Lungs?
Inflating that "spare tire" around your waist may put the squeeze on your lungs, a new French study shows. Scientists have long suspected abdominal obesity to pose its own health risks, aside from those of being overweight. Abdominal obesity is a component ofmetabolic syndrome, which also includes a low level of HDL "good" cholesterol, an elevated level of triglycerides (blood fats), elevated blood pressure, and elevated blood sugar. People with at least three of the components are considered to have metabolic syndrome. Having metabolic syndrome increases one's risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.