The abdominal fat is the one we don't see (not the muffin top, belly bulge or subcutaneous fat), is the fat located around the internal organs and also accumulates inside crucial organs, like the liver, which produces malfunction and the initiation of disease.
This fat is as active as any other gland in the body (like thyroid gland) and releases many hormones and pro-inflammatory substances that will affect different body functions. And this is precisely why it affects the regulation of blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure and is a major contributor of diseases like Diabetes type 2, heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, cancer and fatty liver between others.
The measurement is called Waist Circumference and is very simple. Take your shoes off and stand with your feet together. Be sure your belly is bare. Relax and exhale. Use a cloth measuring tape, be sure to keep it parallel to the ground and at the navel level.
How do you know if you are at risk?
For MEN ≥ 40 inches or 102 centimeters
For WOMEN ≥ 35 inches or 88 centimeters
If you see these numbers you are at risk, but the good news is you can do something about it, only losing 5-10% of your current weight (For example, if you weigh 200 pounds, a 5 percent weight loss equals 10 pounds, bringing your weight down to 190 pounds) produces health benefits such us improvements in blood pressure and blood sugars plus decreases the chances for chronic diseases related with obesity.
Call to schedule your appoinment for a FREE 15-minutes consultation with the Doctor specialist in Obesity Medicine at 954-389-1800.
