What the shape of your buttocks reveals about your chances of getting diabetes
New research suggests the shape of your gluteus maximus may predict whether you’re more likely to develop diabetes, adding to evidence that a high-fitness lifestyle will keep you healthier for longer.
The NHS has long warned that the chances of developing Type 2 diabetes increase as people get older and become overweight. Research now shows that the shape of the muscles in our rear ends changes with age and conditions such as diabetes or osteoporosis.
Researchers from the University of Westminster explained that the gluteus maximus, in addition to being one of the largest muscles in the human body, also plays an important role in metabolic health.
Study co-author Dr. from the university’s optimal health research center. “People with higher levels of fitness, as measured by vigorous physical activity and hand grip strength, had larger gluteus maximus shape, while aging, frailty and long periods of sitting were linked to muscle thinning,” said Marjola Thanaj.
Researchers used MRI 3D mapping to create a three-dimensional anatomical model that revealed distinct, gender-specific patterns in the gluteus maximus muscle associated with Type 2 diabetes. The MRI analysis, which compiled data from 61,290 MRI exams in the UK Biobank database, suggested that the shape of the muscle, not its size, may reflect metabolic differences linked to the disease.
Analysis of participants with diabetes showed that men classified as “frail” had greater overall muscle narrowing along the gluteus maximus, while women had wider muscles, likely resulting from fat leaking into the muscle, the researchers found.
Dr Thanaj said the results showed that men and women had very different biological responses to the same disease.
The study highlights the importance of maintaining muscle mass; This isn’t just for strength reasons, but also how muscle helps regulate blood sugar and reduce the risk of a variety of conditions, from cardiovascular disease to fatty liver disease.
Professor Louise Thomas, one of the senior authors of the study, said: said Times: “Maintaining muscle mass as we age is one of the most important things we can do for our long-term health.
“If people understand how important their muscles are and make small changes to keep them healthy, this could have a big impact on disease throughout society.”
Changes as simple as taking the stairs instead of the elevator or adding a few squats and lunges to your weekly routine can help you maintain and train your gluteus maximus.
The research will be presented at the annual meeting next week. Radiological Society of North America.
