17:28 - 11.06.2018

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We know about obesity, overweight and its dangerous complications. But places of accumulation of fat are more important than obesity itself. In some cases, even persons with normal, at first glance, weight may experience visceral obesity and related complications.

Body fat accumulates in two forms:

- subcutaneous fat that can be visually seen;

- visceral fat accumulating in the lower layer of the abdomen and covering the internal organs.

The average weight of visceral fat is 3 kg in norm and it performs the function of "warming" the internal organs. In case of pathologies, the visceral fat tissues can exceed 20 kg. Many years of research have shown that visceral obesity increases by 50% the risk of type II diabetes. Even the risk of breast cancer in women is presumably associated with visceral obesity in 15% of cases.

The increase in visceral fat leads to an increase in the stress hormone - cortisol. Such persons have constant fatigue, depression, weak immune system, frequent illness, impaired memory and concentration, sleeplessness or constant drowsiness. Visceral fat can lead to lower testosterone levels and infertility in men.

The main diseases, to which visceral obesity leads, are as follows:

- Type II diabetes

- Arterial hypertension

- Alzheimer

- Stroke, heart attack

- Metabolic syndrome

- Breast cancer in women

- Sudden death in a dream

On what basis the diagnosis of visceral obesity is made?

Visceral obesity is observed not only in people with excess weight. As we noted above, individuals with normal body mass index may also suffer from visceral obesity. Waist circumference of over 88 cm in women and more than 102 cm in men indicates the presence of visceral obesity.

What is the cause of visceral obesity?

- Fast food

- Sedentary lifestyle

- Lack of consumption of fruits and vegetables

- Hormonal problems

- Genetic cause

- Eating disorders and over-the-limit eating.