Abdominal or ‘belly’ fat, also known as visceral fat, is strongly associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, breast and colorectal cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and more.

While it is healthy to have some fat in the body, not all fat is created equal. Visceral fat is a type of fat that is stored in the abdomen and surrounds vital organs including the liver, stomach, and intestines. It is known as active fat because it releases fatty acids, inflammatory factors and hormones that eventually lead to higher levels of LDL cholesterol (known as bad cholesterol), high blood glucose, and high blood pressure. Visceral fat can start causing health problems immediately by increasing insulin resistance even when there is no diabetes and can cause a rise in blood pressure.

A simple way to see if you may be at risk of abdominal fat is by measuring your waist

  • Stand up straight and place a fabric tape measure around the smallest part of your bare waist (usually just above the belly button).
  • Pull the measure so it fits snuggly but doesn’t pinch your skin.
  • Relax, breath out, and measure your waist.

A waist measurement greater than 88 cm (34 inches) for women and 102 cm (40 inches) for men (US standard) / 37 inches for men, 31.5 inches for women (UK standard) is a strong indication that there is an unhealthy amount of visceral fat and an increased risk for health problems. People who are not overweight but have a large waist circumference may be at higher risk of health problems than someone with a trim waist.

Visceral fat is not visible, but it is usually preventable, so testing and diagnosis are extremely important. Adherence to healthy living habits such as exercise and a proper diet can help prevent excess visceral fat from building up in the abdominal cavity.

Consider talking with your health care provider about potential health risks and lifestyle changes.

Remember – with each pound that you lose, you also lose some visceral fat.

  1. https://www.healthline.com/ health/visceral-fat#when-to-see-your-doctor
  2. https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/medical/measuring-your-waist
  3. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/ obesity-prevention-source/obesity-definition/abdominal-obesity/
  4. https://www.mayoclinic.org/ healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/belly-fat/art-20045809

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