Does the risk linked to a large waist measurement vary based on body structure?
**"Hey there! So, every now and then, our journalist answers readers' queries about health and wellness. Got a question about high waist circumference for ya?
Catherine Handfield is puzzled — she's got a lean build, a stellar lifestyle, yet can't seem to lower her waistline. Is there a catch?
According to Professor Jean-Pierre Després, high waist circumference is a big red flag for potential issues, regardless of body shape. However, the distribution of that fat matters. Some folks have soft bellies (like aprons), which is usually linked to subcutaneous fat. On the flip side, those with hard bellies (like a pregnant woman... mid-term) are at higher risk, as they tend to have more visceral fat surroundin' their organs.
Visceral fat, when excessive, is a major concern, as it's associated with increased risks of metabolic disorders, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and more. Subcutaneous fat is a bit trickier; it can be healthy... but it can also be harmful.
Now, here's some extra trivia: the level of triglycerides in the blood is a simple yet effective indicator of visceral obesity. If yours are low and blood pressure/sugar are all good, simply aim to keep your waist circumference stable as ya get older.
Good news for those with not-so-great results (prediabetes, high triglycerides...): significant benefits can be gained by reducing waist circumference by 4 cm or more through exercise and dieting.
The V/S Ratio
The V/S ratio (visceral-to-subcutaneous fat ratio) is a key metric for assessing metabolic risk. A higher ratio means more visceral fat relative to subcutaneous fat, which increases the risk of chronic diseases.
Menopause and Abdominal Fat
Menopause brings changes in fat distribution due to declining hormone levels. This leads to an easier accumulation of visceral fat, making physical activity and a balanced diet especially crucial during this stage of life.
Now, as for genetics, they play a significant role in determining whether someone has more visceral or subcutaneous fat. From an evolutionary standpoint, visceral fat could offer advantages as it's an easily mobilized energy reservoir. But, we ain't hunter-gatherers no more... If we don't use that energy, the liver turns it into lipids.
Subcutaneous fat can protect the body against certain diseases, but it can also cause harm. Healthy diets rich in Mediterranean fare can help reduce visceral fat, protectin' ya from all sorts of trouble!"
- Catherine Handfield's lean build and healthy lifestyle haven't helped lower her waistline, contradicting common beliefs.
- High waist circumference is a concern, regardless of body shape, according to Professor Jean-Pierre Després, because it might indicate an excess of visceral fat.
- Visceral fat, when excessive, poses significant health risks, such as increased chances of metabolic disorders, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and more.
- The V/S ratio (visceral-to-subcutaneous fat ratio) is used in science to assess metabolic risk, with a higher ratio suggesting an increased risk of chronic diseases.
- Menopause, due to hormonal changes, causes an easier accumulation of visceral fat, emphasizing the importance of physical activity and a balanced diet during this stage of life.
- Genetics play a crucial role in determining the amount of visceral or subcutaneous fat an individual may have, though modern lifestyles can exacerbate any genetic tendencies, leading to an increased risk of health issues if not managed properly.
