Diabetes risk heightened by inability to store fat safely

A study conducted by Cambridge University has found that a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart attacks and strokes is increased when they are unable to store excess fat safely in the body.

The study examined 200,00 people and found that those who had a genetic variation which made them less likely to deposit fat under the skin in the lower body can lead to them becoming resistant to insulin.

The research, published in Nature Genetics, suggested that the findings could explain why even some slim people who were inactive and consumed unhealthy food were at risk.

It found that a large proportion of the population has inherited some of 53 separate genetic variants that inhibit the storage of fat safely under the skin, particularly in the lower half of the body. Instead, people with this genetic variation are more likely to store far around the user half of
the body, which can accumulate around the central organs. Storing fat in these areas increase the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, irrespective of BMI.

Dr Luca Lotta, from the Medical Research Council epidemiology unit at the University of Cambridge, said: "Our results highlight the important biological role of peripheral fat tissue as a deposit of the surplus of energy due to overeating and lack of physical exercise."