Archive · 7 Jan 2026
Belly Fat vs Visceral Fat: Health Risks Explained
There are two types of belly fat: subcutaneous fat, which is just under the skin, and visceral fat, which is deeper inside the abdomen and around important organs.
Visceral fat is more dangerous because it can cause health problems like heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Many people don't know they have too much visceral fat until it starts affecting their health.
To reduce visceral fat, it's important to exercise, eat healthy foods, manage stress, and get enough sleep.
Dr. Srirangam Vamshi from Apollo Clinic explains that making long-term lifestyle changes is better than trying to lose weight quickly.
Belly fat includes subcutaneous fat (under the skin) and visceral fat (around organs).
Visceral fat is more dangerous, linked to heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.
Normal BMI does not guarantee good health; some people have high visceral fat despite normal weight.
Lifestyle factors like high sugar intake, stress, and inactivity contribute to visceral fat accumulation.
Reducing visceral fat requires exercise, a healthy diet, stress management, and adequate sleep.
- Who
- Dr. Srirangam Vamshi, an endocrinologist from Apollo Clinic, Hyderguda.
- What
- Explanation of the differences between belly fat and visceral fat, and their health risks.
- When
- Not specified.
- Where
- Apollo Clinic, Hyderguda.
- Why
- To educate people about the health risks of visceral fat and how to reduce it.
- Subcutaneous Fat
- Fat located just beneath the skin, mainly affecting physical appearance.
- Visceral Fat
- Fat stored deeper inside the abdomen, around vital organs, and metabolically active.
- Health Risks of Visceral Fat
- Linked to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain cancers.
- Normal-Weight Obesity
- Condition where individuals have a normal BMI but high visceral fat levels.
- Lifestyle Factors
- High consumption of added sugars, refined grains, processed foods, alcohol, inadequate sleep, and chronic stress.
- Reduction Methods
- Aerobic exercise, strength training, healthy diet, stress management, and adequate sleep.