World Obesity Day Highlights The Hidden Danger Of Belly Fat

Fat stored around the abdomen behaves differently from fat in other parts of the body.

While fat around the hips and thighs is relatively harmless, visceral fat surrounding the liver, pancreas, and intestines acts like an active organ.

It releases inflammatory chemicals, disrupts insulin function, raises blood pressure, and worsens cholesterol balance, all of which increase the risk of heart disease.

Dr Varun Bansal, senior consultant, cardiothoracic and vascular surgery at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, explains that the distribution of abdominal fat, reflected in waist circumference, is critical to heart health.

Central obesity increases inflammation, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and abnormal cholesterol, major risks of heart attack.

In India, many have high abdominal fat despite normal weight, a condition called ‘normal weight obesity’, showing that slim appearance doesn’t guarantee a healthy heart.

Waist measurement is a simple, effective check: under 90 cm for men and 80 cm for women. Wrap a tape around the navel, stand straight, exhale gently, and avoid pulling too tightly. It often reveals more than a weighing scale.

Global health authorities also highlight the importance of abdominal fat.

The World Health Organisation warns that central obesity increases the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke, while the National Institutes of Health notes that waist circumference predicts cardiovascular risk independently of BMI.

Reducing belly fat requires a focused approach: strength training three times a week, adequate protein intake, limiting ultra-processed carbohydrates, proper sleep, and stress management.

Dr Bansal emphasises that shifting the focus from overall weight to fat distribution can help prevent heart attacks before they occur.

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