‘Hidden’ visceral fat and what to do about it
New research suggests smokers could have more belly fat – especially visceral fat – compared with nonsmokers.
Unlike fat you can see on the outside, visceral fat covers internal organs in the abdomen. People can even look slim but have high visceral fat – and it’s linked with a range of major health issues, including a higher risk of diabetes, stroke, dementia and heart disease.
A new study found while smokers often have lower body weights than non-smokers, they also tend to have more abdominal visceral fat.
Smoking isn’t the only lifestyle factor that’s been linked with higher visceral fat. So, could you have ‘hidden’ visceral fat, and should you be worried about it? Whatisvisceralfat?
Visceral fat is stored deep inside your body around your internal organs, explains NHS GP and resident doctor at MyHealthChecked, Dr Dave Nichols.
“It is different to subcutaneous fat, which is the fat stored under the skin. While some people can have the appearance of being skinny, they can have high visceral fat concentrations, so-called ‘skinny fat’ which puts them at increased risk of cardiovascular disease.” Howdoyouknowifyou’vegothigh visceralfat?
It can be challenging to measure visceral fat accurately.
“Some people will use waist measurements as a guide, however, there are people who would consider themselves as ‘skinny’, who have a poor diet and have high visceral fat levels,” says Nichols.
“Other measures which can be used include a waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, or BMI. More expensive methods such as CT and MRI scans, or Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA scans) may also be used in certain groups of people.” Whatcausesvisceralfat?
According to Nichols, a mix of both genetic and environmental (lifestyle) factors causes visceral fat.
“Genetic factors influence how your body stores visceral fat;however, it is the environmental factors that we can have the biggest influence,” he explains. “Environmental factors that affect visceral fat include a poor diet that’s high in fatty foods, smoking, drinking excess alcohol, being overweight and not exercising.
“Some groups are more prone to high levels of visceral fat. These include males, post-menopausal women or those who drink excess alcohol,” he adds. Whyisvisceralfatarisktohealth?
High levels of visceral fat are an indicator of metabolic syndrome and put you at an increased risk of cardiovascular problems.
“This includes high blood pressure, high cholesterol, insulin resistance and obesity, which then subsequently increases your risk of heart attack, stroke or type 2 diabetes,” says Nichols. Canyouhelpgetridofit?
Nichols says there are various things you can do to help you keep your visceral fat levels healthy – including getting regular exercise.