Distribution of body fat a risk factor for metabolic syndrome

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

A study shows that the 'wrong' distribution of body fat can lead to metabolic syndrome, even in people of normal weight.
In metabolic syndrome, there are usually at least three of the following: waist circumference more than 40 inches in men (35 in women), high blood pressure, elevated triglycerides or cholesterol. A team at the University of Pittsburgh now reports that the distribution of body fat is also important in the risk of metabolic syndrome.

They used computed tomography scanning to measure fat distribution in a group of over 3,000 adults. Visceral fat - that surrounding body organs - was a risk factor even among those of normal weight. Subcutaneous fat, under the skin, was linked to increased risk only in normal weight men. Intramuscular fat was linked to the syndrome in both normal weight and overweight men.

Subcutaneous thigh fat was, surprisingly, linked to a decreased risk of metabolic syndrome in obese men and women. The findings show that it is not weight or fat, but its distribution in the body which influences metabolic syndrome.

Source
Archives of Internal Medicine 11th April 2004 Volume 165 pages 777-783