As Americans are broadening around the middle, they are bulking up with the wrong kind of fat. There are several kinds of fats in the body, each with different functions.

We are only now recognizing that not all fats are bad, most are very important, however, it's the bad fats we seem to be filling out with.

Fat has three main functions: to store excess calories to be used at critical times, including to mobilize fat stores when you're hungry; to help with temperature regulation; and to release hormones that control many functions in the body. In fact, fat is being classified as another endocrine "organ" due to its hormone-releasing actions.

There are five different types of fat: brown, white, visceral, subcutaneous and belly fat. Brown fat is the kind we'd like more of, but is in the smallest proportion relative to the other fats. Skinny people tend to have more brown fat than heavy people. Brown fat, when stimulated, burns calories. Two ounces of brown fat burns 300-500 calories per day. We're still trying to figure out how to stimulate and to get more of it. The only thing we really know about it so far, is that it is stimulated by cold.

White fat stores energy and produces hormones, including one called adiponectin which helps with insulin sensitivity. When a person gets too fat, adiponectin slows down, making them more insulin resistant, which makes them get fatter.

Visceral fat wraps around the organs, protecting them from injury, and protecting from temperature extremes. Visceral fat also plays a role in insulin resistance, which is a risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Subcutaneous fat is found under the skin, in the thighs, buttocks and belly. It's been found that fat in the thighs and buttocks is less dangerous than belly fat. Belly fat is both subcutaneous and visceral of the worst kind. Leptin, a hormone released by belly fat plays a role in appetite regulation, learning and memory. At menopause, fat moves from the thighs and hips to the belly, increasing the health risks.

Belly fat is the one we can control the most. Knowing what creates belly fat is the key to losing it. There are many reasons why we accumulate excess belly fat. Those will be discussed in Part II of The Skinny on Fats.

Meanwhile, sign up to attend our upcoming health class, "Solutions to WHY You Gain Weight," at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16 in Coeur d'Alene. Fee: $10. RSVP: (208) 765-1994.

Holly Carling is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist, Doctor of Naturopathy, Clinical Nutritionist and Master Herbologist with more than 32 years of experience. Carling is currently accepting new patients and offers natural health-care services and whole food nutritional supplements in her Coeur d'Alene clinic. Visit Carling's website at www.vitalhealthandfitness.com to learn more about Carling, view a list of upcoming health classes and read other informative articles. Carling can be reached at (208) 765-1994 and would be happy to answer any questions regarding this topic.