Macro partitioning
Visceral adipose tissue accumulation drives insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, whereas subcutaneous adipose tissue accumulation is protective or neutral.
Focus on reducing visceral fat (belly fat) rather than just total weight. While subcutaneous fat (hips/flanks) is less harmful, visceral fat is a primary driver of insulin resistance. Strategies that target visceral fat, such as aerobic exercise and stress management, are likely more effective for metabolic health than weight loss alone.
Accumulation of visceral intra-abdominal WAT, i.e., central obesity, is associated with insulin resistance and increased risk of metabolic disease, whereas accumulation of subcutaneous WAT, i.e., fat in the hips and flanks, has no adverse effect and may even be protective against metabolic syndrome.
Why this rating
Supported by multiple human epidemiological studies and rodent transplantation models cited in the review.
Source
Altered adipose tissue and adipocyte function in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome
C. Ronald Kahn et al. · Journal of Clinical Investigation · 2019
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