Belly fat, also known as abdominal fat, is primarily composed of adipose tissue, which is a type of connective tissue that stores energy in the form of fat. There are two main types of belly fat:
- Subcutaneous fat: This is the fat that lies just below the skin and is the type you can pinch. It's considered a less dangerous form of fat than visceral fat.
- Visceral fat: This is the fat that surrounds your internal organs, including your stomach, liver, and intestines. It's found deep within your abdominal cavity and is considered more dangerous than subcutaneous fat because it can release harmful substances into your bloodstream.
Visceral fat is composed of several adipose depots including mesenteric, epididymal white adipose tissue (EWAT), and perirenal fat. The accumulation of abdominal visceral fat in men is mainly due to the higher dietary fat uptake by males.
While the composition of both types of belly fat is similar, visceral fat has been linked to an increased risk of health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
