By Jimmy Downs

Saturday April 20, 2012 (foodconsumer.org) -- A study recently published in the Journal of Nutrition suggests that eating high fat diet may not only cause obesity, but also obesity-mediated insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction.

It has been known for long that both saturated fat and trans fat can increase risk for type 2 diabetes, which is characterized by insulin rersistance.

Mary Helen Black from Kaiser Permanente Southern California in Pasadena, CA and colleagues conducted the study of Mexican Americans and found subjects eating high fat diet tended to have agreat adiposity and lower insulin sensitivity after adjustment for age, gender, and dialy energy intake.

Enrolled in the study were 1150 Mexican Americans aged 18 to 85 years with 73% female.  High fat diet was defined as having 35% fat, 44% carbohydrate and 21% protein.  Low fat diet was defined as having 20% fat, 65% carbohydrate and 15% protein.

Compared with those on the low-fat diet, subjects on the high fat diet had higher age- and sex-adjusted mean body mass index, body fat percentage, and trunk fat and lower insulin sensitivity and β-cell function or disposition Index.

The researchers concluded "high-fat diets may contribute to increased adiposity and concomitant insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction in Mexican Americans."

Be aware that high fat diet is promoted as a way to lose weight.

For more information, also read here.