BULGING BELLIES HAVE BIG BENEFITS

BULGING BELLIES HAVE BIG BENEFITS

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (Wireless Flash) -- Diet experts may not be able to stomach this but some researchers now believe a pot belly may be healthier for you than a super-lean stomach. That's according to University of Virginia exercise physiology professor Glenn Gaesser (gay-sir), who says there are some health benefits to having a bulging belly. Studies show people who are up to 25 percent overweight have a lower risk of lung cancer, osteoporosis and hip fractures than their skinnier counterparts. In addition, Gaesser says, contrary to popular belief, thin folks have a greater risk of dying from cardiovascular disease than chubtubs. Just in case you think the good professor is trying to make excuses for his own huge girth, here are his measurements: he's 6 ft. 4 and weighs a lean, mean 185 pounds. Gaesser is the author of "Big Fat Lies" (Fawcett).