What Is Visceral Fat?
Not all body fat is created equal. Visceral fat is a type of fat stored deep within your abdomen, wrapping around your organs. Unlike subcutaneous fat, which sits just under the skin and is more visible, visceral fat is “hidden” and can be far more dangerous to your health.
Why Is Visceral Fat Dangerous?
Visceral fat is metabolically active, meaning it releases inflammatory compounds and hormones that contribute to various diseases, including:
- Type 2 diabetes – Visceral fat is strongly linked to insulin resistance.
- Heart disease – High visceral fat increases the risk of high blood pressure and cholesterol imbalances.
- Metabolic syndrome – A combination of obesity, hypertension, and poor blood sugar control.
Even if you appear “thin” on the outside, you could have high visceral fat levels, a condition known as TOFI (Thin Outside, Fat Inside). The only way to accurately measure visceral fat is through a DEXA scan.
Subcutaneous Fat: The Less Dangerous Fat
Subcutaneous fat is the fat you can “pinch.” It is stored under the skin and serves as an energy reserve and insulation for the body. Unlike visceral fat, subcutaneous fat does not pose the same immediate health risks.
However, excess subcutaneous fat can still contribute to obesity-related health issues. The key difference? Subcutaneous fat is not linked to metabolic dysfunction in the same way that visceral fat is.
How to Reduce Visceral Fat
- Exercise regularly – High-intensity interval training (HIIT) and strength training are effective.
- Improve your diet – Reduce refined carbs and sugar; focus on whole foods.
- Get quality sleep – Poor sleep is linked to higher visceral fat storage.
- Manage stress – Chronic stress increases cortisol levels, promoting visceral fat accumulation.
How to Measure Your Visceral Fat
The best way to know if you have dangerous levels of visceral fat is to get a DEXA scan. Unlike BMI or body weight measurements, a DEXA scan provides an exact breakdown of your fat distribution, including visceral fat.
Take control of your health—book a DEXA scan today to measure your visceral fat levels.
Conclusion
Visceral fat is far more harmful than subcutaneous fat and increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and metabolic disorders. Since it is not always visible, the only way to accurately assess it is through a DEXA scan.
If you’re serious about your health, **schedule your DEXA scan now and get a precise measurement of your visceral fat.**
About Desert Dexa 💪
At Desert DEXA, we provide DEXA body composition scans in the Palm Springs area, delivering precise data on body fat, muscle mass, and bone health.
On our blog, we take a data-focused approach to health and fitness, exploring topics backed by science and real-world insights from our scans.
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