scholarly journals Effect of Exercise Training on Fat Loss—Energetic Perspectives and the Role of Improved Adipose Tissue Function and Body Fat Distribution

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristoffer Jensen Kolnes ◽  
Maria Houborg Petersen ◽  
Teodor Lien-Iversen ◽  
Kurt Højlund ◽  
Jørgen Jensen

In obesity, excessive abdominal fat, especially the accumulation of visceral adipose tissue (VAT), increases the risk of metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cardiovascular disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Excessive abdominal fat is associated with adipose tissue dysfunction, leading to systemic low-grade inflammation, fat overflow, ectopic lipid deposition, and reduced insulin sensitivity. Physical activity is recommended for primary prevention and treatment of obesity, T2DM, and related disorders. Achieving a stable reduction in body weight with exercise training alone has not shown promising effects on a population level. Because fat has a high energy content, a large amount of exercise training is required to achieve weight loss. However, even when there is no weight loss, exercise training is an effective method of improving body composition (increased muscle mass and reduced fat) as well as increasing insulin sensitivity and cardiorespiratory fitness. Compared with traditional low-to-moderate-intensity continuous endurance training, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and sprint interval training (SIT) are more time-efficient as exercise regimens and produce comparable results in reducing total fat mass, as well as improving cardiorespiratory fitness and insulin sensitivity. During high-intensity exercise, carbohydrates are the main source of energy, whereas, with low-intensity exercise, fat becomes the predominant energy source. These observations imply that HIIT and SIT can reduce fat mass during bouts of exercise despite being associated with lower levels of fat oxidation. In this review, we explore the effects of different types of exercise training on energy expenditure and substrate oxidation during physical activity, and discuss the potential effects of exercise training on adipose tissue function and body fat distribution.

2020 ◽  
Vol 105 (10) ◽  
pp. e3747-e3756
Author(s):  
Xiang Li ◽  
Dianjianyi Sun ◽  
Tao Zhou ◽  
Hao Ma ◽  
Yoriko Heianza ◽  
...  

Abstract Context Recent evidence has related circulating branch-chained amino acids (BCAAs) to ectopic fat distribution. Objective To investigate the associations of changes in plasma BCAAs induced by weight-loss diet interventions with hepatic fat and abdominal fat, and potential modification by different diets. Design, Setting, and Participants The current study included 184 participants from the 2-year Preventing Overweight and Using Novel Dietary Strategies (POUNDS Lost) trial with repeated measurements on plasma BCAAs, hepatic fat, and abdominal fat over 2 years. Main Outcome Measures Repeated measurements of hepatic fat, abdominal fat distribution, including visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and total adipose tissue (TAT). Results Over 2 years, a decrease in total plasma BCAAs was significantly associated with improvement in hepatic density (a marker for hepatic fat; P = 0.02) and reductions in abdominal fat, including VAT, SAT, and TAT (all P < 0.05) in the main analyses. Additionally, we observed that decreases in BCAAs were associated with decreased insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and triglycerides, independent of weight loss (all P < 0.05). Moreover, we found that dietary protein intake significantly modified the relation between changes in total plasma BCAAs and hepatic density at 6 months (Pinteraction = 0.01). Participants with a larger decrease in total BCAAs showed a greater increase in hepatic density when consuming a high-protein diet, compared with those with a smaller decrease or increase in total BCAAs. Conclusions Our findings indicate that weight-loss diet-induced decrease in plasma BCAAs is associated with reductions of hepatic and abdominal fat. In addition, dietary protein intake may modify these associations.


Circulation ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 137 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Hennein ◽  
Jiantao Ma ◽  
Michelle Long ◽  
Chunyu Liu ◽  
Daniel Levy

Objectives: Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) are associated with cardiometabolic diseases. The relationship between diet quality and abdominal fat accumulation, however, has not been well studied. We aimed to examine the long-term association of change in diet quality and change in abdominal adipose tissue. Methods: In 1,677 participants who attended two consecutive Framingham Heart Study examinations, we measured the volume of VAT and SAT using multi-detector computed tomography at two time-points (median interval of 6 years). The ratio of VAT/SAT was calculated to reflect the relative abundance of these two fat stores, i.e., abdominal fat distribution. We created two scores to represent overall diet quality, the Mediterranean-style diet score (MDS) and the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) score, using food frequency questionnaires at baseline and follow-up exams. We analyzed the association between change in the dietary scores and change in VAT, SAT, and VAT/SAT ratio with adjustment for baseline covariates including sex, age, dietary score, VAT, SAT, or VAT/SAT ratio, BMI, energy intake, smoking status, physical activity score, and change in energy intake, smoking status, and physical activity. Results: For each standard deviation increase in ΔMDS (diet quality improved), VAT volume reduced by 53±19 cm 3 (P=0.005) and SAT volume declined by 52±20 cm 3 (P=0.01). Similarly, for each standard deviation increase in ΔAHEI (diet quality improved), VAT volume declined by 45±18 cm 3 (P=0.01) and SAT volume fell by 57±19 cm 3 (P=0.003). In addition, an increased MDS was associated with a decline in VAT/SAT ratio (P=0.04), but there was no association between ΔAHEI and change in VAT/SAT ratio (P=0.06). We also observed that improved intake of nuts (P=0.04), whole grains (P=0.02), and meat (P=0.005) for MDS and fruits (P=0.02) and meat (P=0.03) for AHEI were associated with a decline in VAT/SAT ratio. Conclusions: The present study demonstrates that longitudinal improvements in diet quality were associated with reduced abdominal fat accumulation, both VAT and SAT. In addition, improved dietary intake of fruits, nuts, whole grains, and meat may affect abdominal fat distribution, i.e., more likely to reduce fat accumulation in VAT relative to SAT.


2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (14) ◽  
pp. 4363-4368 ◽  
Author(s):  
James E. N. Minchin ◽  
Ingrid Dahlman ◽  
Christopher J. Harvey ◽  
Niklas Mejhert ◽  
Manvendra K. Singh ◽  
...  

Genome-wide association studies have implicated PLEXIN D1 (PLXND1) in body fat distribution and type 2 diabetes. However, a role for PLXND1 in regional adiposity and insulin resistance is unknown. Here we use in vivo imaging and genetic analysis in zebrafish to show that Plxnd1 regulates body fat distribution and insulin sensitivity. Plxnd1 deficiency in zebrafish induced hyperplastic morphology in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and reduced lipid storage. In contrast, subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) growth and morphology were unaffected, resulting in altered body fat distribution and a reduced VAT:SAT ratio in zebrafish. A VAT-specific role for Plxnd1 appeared conserved in humans, as PLXND1 mRNA was positively associated with hypertrophic morphology in VAT, but not SAT. In zebrafish plxnd1 mutants, the effect on VAT morphology and body fat distribution was dependent on induction of the extracellular matrix protein collagen type V alpha 1 (col5a1). Furthermore, after high-fat feeding, zebrafish plxnd1 mutant VAT was resistant to expansion, and excess lipid was disproportionately deposited in SAT, leading to an even greater exacerbation of altered body fat distribution. Plxnd1-deficient zebrafish were protected from high-fat-diet-induced insulin resistance, and human VAT PLXND1 mRNA was positively associated with type 2 diabetes, suggesting a conserved role for PLXND1 in insulin sensitivity. Together, our findings identify Plxnd1 as a novel regulator of VAT growth, body fat distribution, and insulin sensitivity in both zebrafish and humans.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1259-1259
Author(s):  
Qiaochu Xue ◽  
Xiang Li ◽  
Hao Ma ◽  
Tao Zhou ◽  
Yoriko Heianza ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives To examine whether objectively measured physical activity (PA) is associated with weight loss and changes in body composition and fat distribution in response to weight-loss diet interventions. Methods This study included 535 overweight or obese participants randomly assigned to 4 weight-loss diets varying in macronutrient intake with physical activity measured objectively with pedometers in the POUNDS Lost trial. The associations of step defined PA or the changes in PA with the changes in obesity measurements including body weight (BW), waist circumference (WC), body fat composition assessed by the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans, body fat distribution assessed by the computed tomography (CT) were examined at the 6 and 24 months. We also examined whether the associations were modified by diet interventions. Results The increase of step-defined PA was significantly predictive of weight loss and decrease in all measurements of body fat composition and distribution in response to diet interventions over 24 months (P < 0.0001 for all). We also observed significant inverse associations of changes in PA with changes in BW (P < 0.0001), WC (P < 0.0001), body fat composition (P < 0.05 for total fat, total lean, total fat mass %, and trunk fat %) and fat distribution (P < 0.05 for total adipose tissue mass (TAT), visceral adipose tissue mass (VAT), deep subcutaneous adipose tissue mass (DSAT)) from baseline to 6 months, when the maximum weight loss was achieved. Dietary fat or protein intake modified the associations between changes in PA and changes in body weight and waist circumference over 24 months; greater reduction in these measures was observed in participants with high-fat or low-protein diets than those in the low-fat or high-protein diets (P interaction < 0.05 for all). Conclusions Our results indicate that objectively measured PA is inversely related to the changes in body weight, body composition, and fat distribution in response to weight-loss diets, and such relation is more evident in people with high-fat or low-protein diets. Funding Sources The study was supported by grants from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the Fogarty International Center, and Tulane Research Centers of Excellence Awards.


2008 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 784-790 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia M. Ferrara ◽  
Andrew P. Goldberg ◽  
Barbara J. Nicklas ◽  
John D. Sorkin ◽  
Alice S. Ryan

Controversy exists as to whether there are differences in insulin action between older men and women, and what factors contribute to these differences. This study tests the hypothesis that sex differences in regional fat distribution contribute to a disparity in insulin sensitivity in older men vs. older women. Healthy, older (50–71 years), sedentary men (n = 28) and women (n = 29) were recruited to participate in the study. Body fat, fat-free mass (FFM), and visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous abdominal (SAT) adipose tissue areas were measured by DXA and computed tomography (CT). For measurements of insulin-stimulated glucose disposal (M), insulin was infused at a constant rate of 240 pmol·m–2·min–1, and M was calculated between the 90th and 120th min of the hyperinsulinemic–euglycemic clamp. The men weighed 16% more and had 16% higher waist and 4% lower hip circumferences than women (p < 0.05 for all). Total fat mass and SAT were 21% and 33% lower and FFM was 49% higher in men than in women, whereas waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and VAT:SAT ratio were 21% and 56% higher in men than in women (p < 0.05 for all). Although insulin concentrations during the glucose clamp were higher in men, M was 47% lower in men vs. women (21.7 ± 1.1 vs. 46.7 ± 3.1 µmol·L–1·kgFFM–1·min–1, p < 0.05). The sex-related differences in M persisted after controlling for insulin concentrations during the glucose clamp, for waist, WHR, and VAT:SAT. Older men are more insulin resistant than women, despite lower body fat and subcutaneous abdominal fat. This difference in insulin sensitivity is not explained by abdominal fat distribution, therefore other metabolic factors contribute to the sex differences in insulin sensitivity.


2005 ◽  
Vol 90 (3) ◽  
pp. 1511-1518 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Giannopoulou ◽  
L. L. Ploutz-Snyder ◽  
R. Carhart ◽  
R. S. Weinstock ◽  
B. Fernhall ◽  
...  

This study examined the effects of aerobic exercise without weight loss, a hypocaloric high monounsaturated fat diet, and diet plus exercise (D+E) on total abdominal and visceral fat loss in obese postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes. Thirty-three postmenopausal women (body mass index, 34.6 ± 1.9 kg/m2) were assigned to one of three interventions: a hypocaloric high monounsaturated fat diet alone, exercise alone (EX), and D+E for 14 wk. Aerobic capacity, body composition, abdominal fat distribution (magnetic resonance imaging), glucose tolerance, and insulin sensitivity were measured pre- and postintervention. Body weight (∼4.5 kg) and percent body fat (∼5%) were decreased (P &lt; 0.05) with the D and D+E intervention, whereas only percent body fat (∼2.3%) decreased with EX. Total abdominal fat and sc adipose tissue (SAT) were reduced with the D and D+E interventions (P &lt; 0.05), whereas visceral adipose tissue (VAT) decreased with the D+E and EX intervention, but not with the D intervention. EX resulted in a reduction in total abdominal fat, VAT, and SAT (P &lt; 0.05) despite the lack of weight loss. The reductions in total abdominal fat and SAT explained 32.7% and 9.7%, respectively, of the variability in the changes in fasting glucose levels, whereas the reductions in VAT explained 15.9% of the changes in fasting insulin levels (P &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, modest weight loss, through either D or D+E, resulted in similar improvements in total abdominal fat, SAT, and glycemic status in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes; however, the addition of exercise to diet is necessary for VAT loss. These data demonstrate the importance of exercise in the treatment of women with type 2 diabetes.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-44
Author(s):  
Anna Kopiczko ◽  
Aleksandra Bogucka

Summary Study aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the total fat and fat distribution in young active and physically inactive women. Material and methods: The study group consisted of a total of 300 students from Warsaw aged 20 to 25 years. The weekly physical activity level expressed in metabolic equivalent task was assessed using the International Physical Activity Question­naire. The distribution of adipose tissue was assessed on the basis of anthropometric measurements by somatometry. The waist and hip circumference, body mass and height were measured. Body mass index and waist to hip ratio were calculated. General fat was evaluated by bioelectric impedance. Results: Physically active students had significantly lower (p < 0.001) body mass, waist and hip circumference, lower body fat content and lower BMI and WHR compared to inactive students. Weight loss and the gynoidal type of adipose tissue distribu­tion were more frequent among physically active subjects. In inactive women the androidal-abdominal type of distribution dominated. A healthy somatic profile characterized by BMI in the normal range, gynoid type of adipose tissue distribution and normal or slightly lower body fat was significantly more frequent in physically active subjects (36% vs. 15%). Conclusions: Lack of physical activity was associated with larger waist and hip circumference, higher BMI and unfavorable adipose tissue distribution (androidal), which increases the risk of metabolic diseases in women. The study indicates the need for education and implementation of disease prevention programs regarding abdominal fat distribution and overweight among young women.


2010 ◽  
Vol 299 (3) ◽  
pp. E506-E515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nora Klöting ◽  
Mathias Fasshauer ◽  
Arne Dietrich ◽  
Peter Kovacs ◽  
Michael R. Schön ◽  
...  

The association between obesity and impaired insulin sensitivity has long been recognized, although a subgroup of obese individuals seems to be protected from insulin resistance. In this study, we systematically studied differences in adipose tissue biology between insulin-sensitive (IS) and insulin-resistant (IR) individuals with morbid obesity. On the basis of glucose infusion rate during euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamps, 60 individuals with a BMI of 45 ± 1.3 kg/m2 were divided into an IS and IR group matched for age, sex, and body fat prior to elective surgery. We measured fat distribution, circulating adipokines, and parameters of inflammation, glucose, and lipid metabolism and characterized adipose tissue morphology, function, and mRNA expression in abdominal subcutaneous (sc) and omental fat. IS compared with IR obese individuals have significantly lower visceral fat area (138 ± 27 vs. 316 ± 91 cm2), number of macrophages in omental adipose tissue (4.9 ± 0.8 vs. 13.2 ± 1.4%), mean omental adipocyte size (528 ± 76 vs. 715 ± 81 pl), circulating C-reactive protein, progranulin, chemerin, and retinol-binding protein-4 (all P values <0.05), and higher serum adiponectin (6.9 ± 3.4 vs. 3.4 ± 1.7 ng/ml) and omental adipocyte insulin sensitivity (all P values <0.01). The strongest predictors of insulin sensitivity by far were macrophage infiltration together with circulating adiponectin ( r2 = 0.98, P < 0.0001). In conclusion, independently of total body fat mass, increased visceral fat accumulation and adipose tissue dysfunction are associated with IR obesity. This suggests that mechanisms beyond a positive caloric balance such as inflammation and adipokine release determine the pathological metabolic consequences in patients with obesity.


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