But we've now been put on notice that as our waistlines grow, so do our health risks. Abdominal, or visceral, fat is of particular concern because it's a key player in a variety of health problems — much more so than subcutaneous fat, the kind you can grasp with your hand.
As it turns out, the worst place to have body fat it is along your waistline. This body fat is called visceral fat which is inflammatory. Studies have linked visceral fat to chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and even some cancers.
Subcutaneous fat: The fat just under the skin is the most plentiful in the body. This type of fat acts differently depending on where it's located, according to Fried. Subcutaneous belly fat makes more fatty acids, which can increase insulin resistance and the risk of metabolic disease.
Scientists have found that one place – within the belly – is most harmful. It is worse for your health than fat anywhere else in the body. In fact, a large waist size makes you more likely to get heart disease. It is just as harmful for your heart as high blood pressure and smoking.
Because men have higher levels of testosterone (which can lead to lipolysis, or fat-burning) and lower levels of estrogen, they tend to accumulate fat in their bellies; women, on the other hand, have higher estrogen levels, so they tend to store more fat in their legs and hips.
As against areas such as legs, face and arms, our stomach and abdominal regions possess beta cells that makes it difficult to reduce the fats easily and lose weight in these areas. However, as per research, belly fat is the most difficult to lose as the fat there is so much harder to break down.
One reason belly fat is so hard to lose is that it's considered an “active fat.” Unlike some fatty tissue that simply sits “dormant,” belly fat releases hormones that can have an impact on your health — and your ability to lose weight, especially in the waist and abdomen areas.
It's found under your skin (subcutaneous fat), between your internal organs (visceral fat) and even in the inner cavities of bones (bone marrow adipose tissue). Body fat is primarily known for storing and releasing energy and providing insulation.
Abstract. Women generally have a higher percentage of body fat than men. Also, women store more fat in the gluteal-femoral region, whereas men store more fat in the visceral (abdominal) depot.
In conclusion, weight loss can occur in different areas first, depending on a person's unique physiology. However, many people tend to notice changes in their face and neck first due to the fact that these areas carry less fat than other parts of the body.
There are many reasons why people gain belly fat, including poor diet, lack of exercise, and stress. Improving nutrition, increasing activity, and making other lifestyle changes can help people lose belly fat. Belly fat refers to fat around the abdomen.
Thighs and bottom
Food choices here play a significant role. Eating too much refined carbs and processed foods can lead to excess fat storage in these areas. Age and hormones can also cause fat to settle around the lower body area: the pelvis, thighs and bottom, making it difficult for you to shed those stubborn fats.
Fat leaves the body as carbon dioxide when you breathe and is also released as water through urine and sweat. So if you think about it, that backs up why exercise is an important part of weight loss. Your body disposes of fat through sweat, urine, and exhaled air.
Hard fat raises LDL cholesterol, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Soft fat can lower LDL cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Exercise increases hard fat, improving metabolism and calorie burning.
While your body takes longer to digest all fats, saturated fats, as well as trans fats, are particularly hard on your digestive system. If you've ever felt sleepy after eating a big, greasy meal, it's because your body is working hard to break down these unhealthier fats.
"Weight loss is about food intake more than anything else," Dr. Tariq explains. Exercise is good for your overall health and longevity, but it's only a small component of weight loss. The majority of weight loss comes from making dietary changes and consuming fewer calories than you can burn in a day.
Coming to the point, you will first lose “hard fat” (visceral fat) that surrounds your organs like liver, kidneys and later, you will burn soft fat (belly fat, thigh fat, back fat, etc.). Women accumulate fat cells around their belly area, hips, thighs and these areas are usually the last from.
You Might Be Eating Too Little
This phenomenon is called “starvation mode,” and while your body isn't actually starving, it will naturally hold onto whatever calories it receives in an effort to help you maintain your energy balance.
Can only facial fat be lost? Losing extra body fat and maintaining a moderate weight may help the face appear slimmer and prevent excess facial fat. However, there is little evidence to support spot reduction or targeted fat loss from a specific part of the body.