Do you have visceral fat?

While not always obvious on the outside, high visceral fat is linked with a range of health risks. New research suggests smokers could have more belly fat – especially visceral fat – compared with non-smokers.

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.

WHAT IS VISCERAL FAT?

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.”

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU’VE GOT HIGH VISCERAL FAT?

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.

WHAT CAUSES VISCERAL FAT?

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 can have the biggest influence, including a poor diet, smoking, drinking excess alcohol, being overweight, and not exercising,” he says. “Some groups are more prone to high levels of visceral fat. These include males, post-menopausal women or those who drink excess alcohol.”

WHY IS IT A RISK TO HEALTH?

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.

CAN YOU HELP GET RID OF IT?

Get regular exercise and eat a healthy and well-balanced diet, along with not smoking, avoiding alcohol or drinking within moderation.