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exercise always affect each other inversely, often can mean more visceral fat. This
too many calories and less exercise will lead
to fat build up.
Stress – Increased stress levels release
the hormone cortisol in the body- this
hormone affects metabolism, resulting in
fat collection around the abdomen.
Sleep – Lack of good sleep or short sleep
can send you on a spree of unhealthy eating
habits, leading to fat collection in the body,
especially around the abdomen.
How to Measure It
There’s no way to know precisely where
and how much visceral fat is hidden in
your body without expensive imaging tests.
Waist size.
This is an easy way to get a rough estimate.
Wrap a tape measure around your waist
over your belly button. (Don’t suck in your
stomach!) In women, 35 inches or more is a
sign of visceral fat. In men, it’s 40 inches.
This, however, is a crude tool, especially if
you’re a very big person. And if you’re of
Asian origin, the benchmark for visceral
fat drops to 31.5 inches for women and 35.5
inches for men.
BMI.
Body mass index is a formula for how much
you weigh relative to your height. Online
calculators can calculate for you. A BMI
of 30 or higher is overweight. That could
be a sign of visceral fat. If you’re Asian
American, a BMI of 23 or higher could be a
concern.
Hip-to-waist ratio.
You divide your waist size by your hip
size. While some think the number gives
a good idea of your risk for visceral fat,
studies suggest it may be no better than a
simple waist measurement.
Body shape.
Look in the mirror. If your body is an apple
shape -- a big trunk and slimmer legs -- it
SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #48 | JUNE 2023
body shape is more common among men.
Women are more likely to be pears -- with
bigger hips and thighs. Research shows
that upper body fat is more dangerous to
your health, which might be one reason
why women usually live longer than men.
Imaging tests.
These expensive scans are the only way to
check the exact amount of visceral fat you
have. If your doctor orders a CT scan or
an MRI test to check for another medical
condition, a detailed picture of your visceral
fat can also be obtained.
The dangers of visceral fat
While it is safe, even necessary, to have a
few layers of fat which provide warmth and
protect the inner organs of the body, too
much fat can trigger health problems.
Besides storing energy, fat cells also
produce certain hormones and other
inflammatory substances; over a period
of time, these can cause or increase
complications in the body.
Presence of visceral fat in the belly is a
sign of metabolic syndrome, a collection of
disorders that include high blood pressure,
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