About the hidden dangers of belly fat?

About the hidden dangers of belly fat?

©2010 Designs for Health, Inc.

It is important to know that belly fat is not created equal…

Abdominal fat is actually made up of two distinct fat compartments. The fat that accumulates under the skin is called subcutaneous fat and is relatively benign.

However, the dense visceral fat found deep in the abdomen, surrounding the intra-abdominal organs, is the fat linked most strongly with the metabolic syndrome as well as heightened cancer risk.

What is the Metabolic Syndrome?

The Metabolic Syndrome is a common and complicated disorder with a diverse group of metabolic risk factors which include:

Obesity

Inflammation-Oxidative Stress

Insulin Resistance and Hyperinsulinemia

Type 2 Diabetes

Abnormal blood lipid profiles

Cardiovascular Disease

Elevated blood pressure

Are you at risk?

Quantitative diagnostic criteria for the Metabolic Syndrome that is used in the United States includes:

Waist circumference measurements to establish 'Central Obesity' 

Males – over 40 inches

Females – over 35 inches

Plus any two of the following:

Fasting blood glucose – 110mg per dL. for both males and females

HDL cholesterol: 40mg per dL. for males, 50mg per dL. for females 

Serum triglycerides – 150mg per dL. for both males and females

Blood Pressure (mm Hg.) – 130 systolic/85 diastolic for both males