Signs you have visceral fat

(Dan Tri) - Visceral fat is often "hidden" in the abdomen, surrounding the liver, pancreas, intestines... so it is difficult to detect with the naked eye like subcutaneous fat.

Visceral fat is the layer of fat that surrounds your internal organs. Too much body fat can pose health risks. But compared to fat just under the skin, visceral fat is more likely to increase your risk of serious health problems.

Heart disease, Alzheimer's, cancer, type 2 diabetes, stroke and high cholesterol are some of the conditions that have been strongly linked to excess belly fat.

Researchers believe visceral fat produces high levels of certain proteins that cause inflammation in the body's tissues and organs, and narrows blood vessels. This can raise blood pressure and cause other problems.

Visceral fat typically accounts for about 10% of total body fat, although it is invisible, you can calculate visceral fat based on your body fat percentage. You can also have a flat stomach and see little fat but still have visceral fat inside.

But typically, if you have more total body fat than your doctor recommends, you'll also likely have more visceral fat.

Too much visceral fat increases the risk of diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke (Photo: Istock).

However, it's important to remember that no single measurement can tell you everything about your health.

If you are concerned about your health, ask your doctor about the tests they recommend. It is better to focus on proven ways to feel better and improve your health than on body shape or size.

Here are some ways to help you measure visceral fat according to Webmd :

Waist

Here's an easy way to get a rough estimate. In women, a waist circumference of 89cm or more may indicate more visceral fat. In men, it's 100cm.

However, it is important to note that this is a crude tool, especially if you are a very large person. And if you are of Asian descent, the standards for judging will also be lower.

BMI

BMI, or body mass index, is a formula for calculating weight in relation to height. Online calculators can do the math for you.

A BMI of 30 or higher is generally considered obese for someone who is 5 feet 7 inches (1.73 m) tall. A higher BMI may indicate that you have more visceral fat than normal. If you are of Asian descent, a BMI of 23 or higher may be a concern.

However, BMI is not very effective in estimating body fat because of differences between people in body composition (amount of fat, muscle, and bone) and shape. These factors also vary between races and ethnic groups, sexes, genders, and ages.

Hip/waist ratio

Use a tape measure to measure your waist and hips, then divide your waist by your hip. A ratio greater than 0.85 in women and 0.9 in men may indicate that you have more belly fat than normal, including visceral fat.

Body shape

Where your body stores fat can give you a clue. If you have an apple shape – a large torso and slim legs – it usually means you have more visceral fat. This shape is more common in men. Women tend to have a pear shape, with larger hips and thighs.

Research shows that upper body fat is associated with more health risks, which may be one reason why women tend to live longer than men.

Imaging tests

These expensive tests are the only way to accurately measure how much visceral fat you have. If your doctor orders a CT scan or MRI to check for another medical condition, they can also get a detailed picture of your visceral fat.

When to see a doctor about visceral fat

If you are concerned that you have more visceral fat than you want and that this could be putting your health at risk, talk to your doctor. You can find out if you are at higher risk for type 2 diabetes and other diseases.

Your doctor may also check your blood pressure, heart rate, and other vital signs. They may test a blood or urine sample to get a complete picture of your health. Your doctor may recommend changes in your diet, exercise, or other habits.

However, remember that the best way to reduce visceral fat is to maintain the healthy habits that you already do for better health. Specifically: Eat right, exercise, get enough sleep and reduce stress.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/dau-hieu-nhan-biet-ban-co-mo-noi-tang-20250831203904032.htm