Visceral fat
Visceral Fat
Visceral fat (pronounced: vis-er-al fat), also known as organ fat or intra-abdominal fat, is a type of body fat that's stored within the abdominal cavity. It's also known as 'active fat' as it can actively increase the risk of serious health problems.
Etymology
The term "visceral" is derived from the Latin word "viscus", meaning "organ". It refers to the deep organs in the body's abdominal cavity, such as the liver, pancreas, and intestines, around which this type of fat is typically stored.
Definition
Visceral fat is body fat that is stored within the abdominal cavity. It is therefore located near several vital organs, including the liver, stomach, and intestines. It can also build up in the arteries. Visceral fat is sometimes referred to as 'active fat' because it can actively increase your risk of serious health problems.
Health Risks
Excess visceral fat is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, inflammatory diseases, and other obesity-related diseases. It is considered more harmful than subcutaneous fat, which is found just under the skin, because of its proximity to vital organs and its role in inflammation.
Measurement
Visceral fat is not visible and cannot be measured with conventional scales or by looking in the mirror. It is usually measured with a CT scan or MRI. However, these are expensive and complex procedures. A simpler method is to measure the waist circumference, which is correlated with the amount of visceral fat.
Related Terms
- Subcutaneous fat: This is the fat that is visible just under the skin. Unlike visceral fat, it does not pose the same health risks.
- Obesity: This is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have a negative effect on health.
- Metabolic syndrome: This is a cluster of conditions that occur together, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Visceral fat
- Wikipedia's article - Visceral fat
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski