One more reason to skip the weights

[OITW]

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18/20100113/tuk-well-covered-bum-and-big-hips-good-f-a7ad41d.html

Crappy journalism at its finest. As my old history professor used to say, journalism = superficiality.

[Patrick]

Hrm... I don't mean to be a prick but I don't see how your thread title relates to the article at all. Rather, I see the connection I think you're trying to make but I don't think it's there -- they're not saying it's okay to get fat. I think this is an admittedly superficial albeit entirely fine article that very many people you'd probably be sympathetic to have plenty of reason to agree with.

I think the take home message from the article is two-fold: not all bodyfat is created equal, and that belly fat signals insulin resistance. We also know as lifters that insulin resistance carries with it a whole host of nasty consequences. Lifting is never discussed in the article but if you dig a very little bit on your own it's clear that lifting increases insulin sensitivity.

EDIT - To the extent that this article won't help a single person on its own, I completely agree that this is far, far too superficial.

[Dastardly]

The article says that having big solid hips & thighs is good for women.

I would also suggest it is good for us onlookers.

There has also been some stories in the press a couple months back saying big thighs is a good indicator of heart health.

I think it had to do with the thighs having the largest muscles in your body, so having big muscular thighs suggests that your are both and active strong person and that you have the heart to power them.

[OITW]

Patrick, the researchers didn't tell us anything that, for example, most of us on this board don't already know. But the way the story spun it, these researchers apparently proved that a lard ass and thunder thighs are essential for good health. It's the number one most read story on that news site. Do you think that's because of the public's abiding interest in scientific research, or because there's a whole lot of people who want yet another excuse to not work out?

[cjangelo]

If it does anything to counter the 'skinny is good' idea amongst women, I consider it a good thing.

I love Rip's description of an attractive woman in the video series on 70's big:
"we like women with nice curves...5'6, 150lbs..." Agreed. We do.

[quadancer]

Not all. I prefer slim to skinny girls with baby butts. But that doesn't mean the heavies are bad people either; most of my friends are chunky types.

[Tiburon]

I think it is very interesting research. Adipose tissue used to be looked upon as a passive storage area for fat. Store some energy in times of plenty, pull out some energy in times of lean. But with the discovery of leptin, overnight fat became this incredibly complex, very large metabolically active organ. Almost every month there is a new "adipokine" discovered. Thought it will be awhile until some of the applications are apparent, it is worth studying just for its basic science merit now.

[Patrick]

Patrick, the researchers didn't tell us anything that, for example, most of us on this board don't already know. But the way the story spun it, these researchers apparently proved that a lard ass and thunder thighs are essential for good health. It's the number one most read story on that news site. Do you think that's because of the public's abiding interest in scientific research, or because there's a whole lot of people who want yet another excuse to not work out?

Wowie wow wow wow... This is going to sound like a cop out but I see it. And the really disturbing thing is that it's sort of like spotting the Virgin Mary in a hoagie roll -- you can see it but you gotta want to see it.

I can imagine it goes like this. "Got big hips? Have no fear. Researchers at College University suggested that large thighs and an ample bottom might actually promote good health. Now to this footage of a squirrel on water skies." You've turned me around :-/

[cjangelo]

Not all. I prefer slim to skinny girls with baby butts

You like the 'pancake butt,' eh?