Visceral Fat

Definition

Visceral fat is the body fat that is stored within the abdominal cavity, surrounding important internal organs like the liver, pancreas, and intestines.

Scientific / Technical Definition

Visceral fat is a type of body fat that is located intra-abdominally, surrounding vital internal organs. It is known to be metabolically active and has been associated with a higher risk of metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes.

Benefits

• There are no direct health benefits of visceral fat, and maintaining low levels is generally considered beneficial for health.

Examples

• Increased waist circumference is often an indicator of higher levels of visceral fat.

Additional Information

• Effects: High levels of visceral fat can contribute to increased inflammation, insulin resistance, and can elevate the risk of serious health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Related Terms

• Subcutaneous Fat
• Body Mass Index
• Waist Circumference
• Metabolic Syndrome

References

• The impact of visceral fat in metabolic syndrome: A pathophysiological role
• Visceral fat and metabolic risk factors in obesity