Few realise dangers of visceral fat

THE VAST majority of Irish people are unaware of the potential dangers of visceral fat which surrounds the vital organs in the abdomen, new research suggests.

Unlike subcutaneous fat, which is stored under the skin and is easily seen, visceral fat is hidden and surrounds abdominal organs. A report commissioned by GlaxoSmithKline found that over three-quarters of Irish adults (77 per cent) intend to lose weight in 2010, but 90 per cent had never heard of visceral fat. After hearing about the associated risks, 79 per cent said they were more motivated to lose weight.

Visceral fat is more dangerous than any other kind and can increase the risk of serious diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, stroke and heart disease. It is particularly dangerous to the heart, increasing the risk of thrombosis and stroke, and it also releases fatty acids into the liver creating the conditions which lead to type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.

The dangers are most prevalent in obese men with a waist size of 40 inches and post-menopausal women if they have a waist size over 35 inches.

People with an “apple shape” where extra weight is concentrated around the abdomen are more prone than those with a “pear shape” where the weight is concentrated below the waist.

The survey was a pan-European one carried out with 12,000 respondents. Some 61 per cent have made losing weight a New Year resolution. German-based obesity expert Prof Stephen Jacob said visceral fat is also easier to shed as part of a diet. “Visceral fat is a stronger predictor of premature death than overall weight. Just a little extra visceral fat increases the risk of serious disease, but modest weight loss decreases it considerably.”

Dr Terry Maguire, community pharmacist and lecturer at Queen’s University, Belfast said most people’s motivation in losing weight is cosmetic and they are not aware of the potential medical dangers surrounding obesity even if those risks have been well-documented.

“This confirms the research that was carried out in the UK three to five years ago that people are not aware of the dangers of being overweight or even of a moderate bulge in the abdomen area.” Dr Maguire said those most at risk from visceral fat are men with a classic “beer belly” where all their excess weight is concentrated in the abdomen area. Visceral fat squeezes the liver, the kidney and the gut area, and is prone to cause clogging of the arteries, he explained.

“It is worrying that people do not know the full risks involved because obesity is something you can take responsibility for yourself. The more you appreciate the risk, the more motivated you will be to do something about it.”