‘Tummy fat’ is concerning factor for health

Visceral fat and genetics are major factors in the development of type 2 diabetes. People who tend to put on weight around the abdomen are at higher risk of developing a number of lifestyle-related diseases including type 2 diabetes, particularly if they are genetically predisposed.

Dr Adri Kok, a physician practising at Netcare Union Hospital, explains why “tummy fat” is a particularly concerning factor for one’s health.

“Being overweight, especially for people who carry more fat around their middle, is a sign of a high risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes, as well as cancer.

“This is called visceral fat, which accumulates and sur-rounds organs in the abdominal cavity,” Kok explains. At least 2.2 million South Africans live with diabetes, although it is believed that this figure would be significantly higher if it included undiagnosed diabetics.

More people are prediabetic, which means they are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a health condition where a person’s body does not produce adequate amounts of insulin or cannot use insulin effectively due to insulin resistance.

Insulin, which is produced by the pancreas, is a hormone that converts sugars from food into energy needed to conduct our daily activities.

“Visceral fat is metabolically active, which means it releases various secretions that affect normal body functions such as blood pressure and how our bodies metabolise sugars. The hormones in our bodies regulate a number of functions including how our bodies respond to glucose from the food we eat,” says Kok.