Obesity is characterized by the accumulation of body fat or adipose tissue in the body, especially in the abdomen and some organs like the heart, which could be silently damaging your health.
This is according to a report published by the European Society of Cardiology, which reveals how this type of fat—called visceral fat—can significantly increase the risk of heart attack, heart failure, or even sudden death.
Unlike the fat under the skin (subcutaneous fat), visceral fat surrounds important organs like the heart, liver, and kidneys. In addition to producing inflammatory substances that impair heart function, it reduces flexibility and contributes to serious cardiovascular diseases.
One of the most alarming data is that 67% of deaths associated with excess weight (due to excessive accumulation of fatty tissue) are related to heart disease. And it’s not just about how much a person weighs, but where and how that fat is stored.
Where Body Fat Accumulates Has Consequences
The distribution of body fat—that is, where it tends to accumulate (abdomen, hips, thighs, visceral, subcutaneous, etc.)—has very real implications for health, beyond overall weight. For example, android fat (located primarily in the abdomen and chest) is associated with a higher likelihood of metabolic diseases such as insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia (elevated cholesterol and triglycerides), and cardiovascular disease. In contrast, gynoid fat (in the hips, buttocks, and thighs) appears to have a less damaging metabolic impact; some studies show that the higher the ratio of gynoid to android fat, the lower the risk of fatty liver disease, systemic inflammation, and lipid profile disorders.
Furthermore, the combination of high levels of android and gynoid fat can multiply risks: one US study published in Nature found that individuals with elevated proportions of both depots are more likely to exhibit multiple cardiometabolic risk factors—glucose, blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, high triglycerides, and low HDL—compared to those with elevated fat in only one type or with similar body mass indexes. There is also evidence that visceral fat (part of android fat) has a more direct effect on metabolic dysfunction, releasing fatty acids and inflammatory substances into the bloodstream, affecting the liver, pancreas, and vascular system.
Body Composition
Eric Pasco, Medical Manager of the Novo Nordisk CLAT Obesity Unit, explains: Today, overweight or obesity is no longer determined solely by the ratio of weight to height, that is, through a formula for calculating the Body Mass Index (BMI). Currently, the diagnosis involves the use of other measurements, such as body composition. Fat accumulation or adiposity is not the same in all people; some are at greater risk due to the adipose tissue that accumulates in the abdominal area, which is especially harmful to health.
When addressing health complications related to excess weight, it is important to highlight several risk factors that are aggravated by this condition, such as high blood pressure (which often leads to an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes), dyslipidemia (characterized by altered cholesterol and triglyceride levels), and insulin resistance (which significantly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes).
What can be done to reduce body fat?
Obesity cannot be attributed simply to a lack of willpower or individual choices; it is influenced by a complex interaction of multiple internal and external factors, including biological, genetic, psychological, social, and economic factors, as well as factors related to sleep, medication, and the environment.
Specialists agree that the foundation and fundamental part of proper treatment lies in the support and guidance of a physician, who will conduct ongoing monitoring to ensure adherence and long-term results. Likewise, it must be accompanied by a sustainable lifestyle change, including a healthy diet and regular exercise, at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, alternating between aerobic exercise (such as walking, running, or dancing) and strength training (which can be performed with weights, functional exercises, etc.).
The European Society of Cardiology report indicates that losing between 5% and 10% of body weight can already make a significant difference by improving blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of heart disease, even without reaching an “ideal weight.”
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Wilmer Useche
