DIET: Thin People May be Fat Inside
(AP, 5/10/07)

Since 1994 Dr. Jimmy Bell of Imperial College, London, and team, have used MRI’s to create “fat maps” of nearly 800 people, revealing where their bodies store fat. The researchers found that even people with normal BMIs (Body Mass Index) may have high levels of hidden fat encasing their vital organs. Bell dubs such people "TOFIs" (Thin Outside, Fat Inside). Bell says that TOFIs tend to eat fatty, sugary foods without exercising enough to avoid fat storage. Scientists speculate that inactive thin people may have a greater risk of ill health and mortality than their heavy, but more active, counterparts. They recommend improved diet, caloric restriction and exercise to burn off visceral fat.