Why is visceral fat more dangerous than subcutaneous fat?
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Quick answer
Visceral fat lies deep in the abdomen and wraps around internal organs. Excess visceral fat is linked to cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and atherosclerosis more closely than fat under the skin. One clinical source estimates it normally makes up about 10% of total body fat. A waist of 35 inches or more in women, or 40 inches or more in men, is commonly used as a sign of higher risk.
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Answer
Other simple guides include a waist-to-hip ratio above 0.85 in women or 0.90 in men, and a waist larger than half of a person's height [4].
Sources
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