Normal BMI Hides Health Risks of Excess Abdominal Fat
Even individuals with a normal BMI may face significant health risks if they carry excess abdominal fat, also known as visceral obesity. This hidden obesity can lead to serious health issues, including heart disease and diabetes.
Tracking waist circumference is the simplest way to identify visceral fat. For adults, critical thresholds are ≥80 cm (31.5 in) for women and ≥94 cm (37 in) for men. Strikingly, 21.7% of adults with a normal BMI have hidden obesity.
Visceral fat is particularly harmful as it releases inflammatory cytokines into the bloodstream, disrupting insulin sensitivity and altering cholesterol metabolism. It also damages the liver directly and is linked to thickening of the carotid artery walls, a key marker of atherosclerosis.
The goal to reduce fat while building muscle is known as body recomposition. The Mediterranean diet, rich in unsaturated fats, has been proven to reduce visceral fat. However, the problem of hidden obesity varies widely by region, with rates as high as 58.4% in Lebanon.
Those with a normal BMI but increased waist circumference face a 1.8 times higher risk of diabetes, a 1.3 times higher risk of hypertension, and elevated levels of 'bad' cholesterol.
Even with a normal BMI, excess abdominal fat can pose serious health risks. Regular waist circumference checks can help identify this hidden obesity. Adopting a healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, can aid in reducing visceral fat and improving overall health.
