Hormonal
Visceral obesity is strongly associated with the 'metabolic syndrome' (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperinsulinemia, and insulin resistance), whereas subcutaneous fat is not.
Where you store fat matters more for your health than how much you weigh. If you have excess fat around your waist (visceral fat), you are at significantly higher risk for heart disease and diabetes compared to someone who stores fat in their hips or thighs (subcutaneous fat), even if their total weight is the same.
Visceral or intraabdominal obesity appears to be most highly correlated with these diseases, and is the most common condition associated with insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia. Gluteal-femoral and subcutaneous adipose depots are generally not associated with cardiac or diabetes-associated illness or death.
Why this rating
Supported by multiple large-scale epidemiological studies (Honolulu, San Antonio, Goteborg) and clinical observations of Cushing's syndrome.
Source
Hypercortisolism and Obesity
Pamela Peeke et al. · Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences · 1995
DOI 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1995.tb44719.x
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