It increases serious illness, and early death.
Mortality
Visceral adipose tissue (VAT), the fat stored around internal organs, is strongly linked to adverse cardio-metabolic profiles. Studies show that in adults ≤ 65 years, higher VAT area or volume is associated with an 11–98% increase in all-cause mortality risk.
Mechanisms Of Risk
Visceral fat acts like an endocrine organ, releasing hormones and proteins (adipokines) that influence metabolism, inflammation, and immune function.
Excess VAT promotes:
- Chronic inflammation through cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukins, contributing to cardiovascular disease and insulin resistance.
- Impaired glucose metabolism and insulin resistance, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
- Dysregulated lipid metabolism, leading to ectopic fat deposition in organs like the liver and pancreas, which further elevates cardiovascular risk.
- Hormonal imbalances, including altered adiponectin and estrogen levels, which can increase susceptibility to certain cancers and cardiovascular disease.
Clinical Implications
Visceral fat is a stronger predictor of morbidity and mortality than subcutaneous fat. Waist circumference [under 35 inches in women and 38 inches or thinner in men] and waist-to-hip ratio are practical clinical measures, but imaging modalities like CT, MRI, and DXA provide more accurate assessments of VAT.
Reducing visceral fat through GLP-1 and GLP-2 and diet and exercise—can improve metabolic health and potentially lower mortality risk.