Fat makes friends with people in different places. Some folks are apple-shaped and accumulate padding around the middle, while others are pear-shaped and pack it on below the waist. The pear-shaped can rejoice that junk in the trunk puts you at lower risk for cancer, diabetes and other problems.

While women may develop a fair amount of strength relative to their size, the average man remains stronger because of biological differences.

Drop weight too quickly or with an unhealthy diet plan and the number on the scale might go down, but you'll lose valuable muscle in the process. Follow a weight-loss protocol that helps you lose body fat, not just overall weight.

Body fat naturally fluctuates throughout your life, so it's normal for body fat levels to change when you're in your teens. Puberty also affects how your body stores fat, so it's normal for girls to gain fat because of hormonal changes.

Most women would like to have a slim waistline, but belly fat is more than just a cosmetic problem. Excessive abdominal fat increases your risk for chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes.

A scale tells you how much you gross weight you carry, but it can't tell you what type of tissue comprises that weight. Even if you have a healthy weight, your body fat levels might pose a health risk.

Liposuction is now the most popular form of cosmetic surgery in the United States. Here are five things you need to know to make an informed decision.

Fat loss isn't easy. It requires a dedicated diet and exercise plan and permanent habit changes. Because most people are accustomed to instant gratification, the idea of taking the time to burn off stubborn belly fat is unappealing.

Swelling in different areas of your body -- generally from fluid accumulation in your tissues -- frequently is visible in your extremities.

Like adults, more and more children are having a hard time managing their weight. And an overweight child is more likely to become an overweight adult, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Figuring out your child's body fat is one way to assess your child's health risk.

The extra fat that hangs over your belt is not only uncomfortable, it's also unhealthy. There are a number of ways you can test your body fat to see where you stand, but some tests, such as bioelectric impedance and hydrostatic weighing, require special equipment.

Whether you have a lot to lose or a little, belly fat is a tricky thing to get rid of. Because women's bodies tend to fiercely retain fat in the midsection, a multitiered approach to trimming the waistline is necessary for effective fat loss.