Hormonal
Higher levels of abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) are positively associated with increased odds of adverse cardiometabolic risk factors, contradicting the hypothesis that abdominal SAT is metabolically protective.
If you carry excess weight in your abdomen, it matters whether it is visceral or subcutaneous, but both are linked to higher risks of high blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol issues. You cannot assume that 'soft' belly fat is safe just because it is not deep visceral fat. Reducing abdominal fat through lifestyle changes is necessary to lower these risks.
The data suggest that abdominal SAT is not protective against unfavorable cardiometabolic risk profiles. These conclusions were consistent across ethnic groups.
Why this rating
Large cross-sectional sample (n=1246) with rigorous imaging (CT/DXA) and statistical controls for confounders.
Source
Abdominal adiposity depots are correlates of adverse cardiometabolic risk factors in Caucasian and African-American adults
Robert L. Newton et al. · Nutrition and Diabetes · 2011
DOI 10.1038/nutd.2010.2
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