Abdominal obesity, also known as central obesity, is the deposition of excess fat within the abdomen and increases the risk of adverse health events. The main cause is excess calorie intake without a corresponding increase in energy expenditure. Abdominal obesity is diagnosed when the waist circumference is greater than 40 inches (102 cm) in men and 35 inches (88 cm) in women. Proper diet modification and regular aerobic exercise are the first-line treatments, but medication or surgery may be considered for unresponsive patients.
Obesity can be classified into different types based on where the fat deposit is located. Abdominal obesity refers to the deposition of excess fat within the abdomen. This fat depot is called visceral fat and is significant because it increases the risk of many adverse health events. Among doctors, abdominal obesity is also known as central obesity. People outside the medical community refer to it as belly fat, beer belly, or a baby bump.
There are various causes of central obesity, but the most obvious is excess calorie intake without a corresponding increase in energy expenditure. Overeating, along with physical inactivity or a sedentary lifestyle, is the main cause. Endocrinological diseases, such as Cushing’s syndrome, and drugs, such as steroids, have also been implicated in central obesity.
Abdominal obesity is suspected among people who have an apple shaped body type. Determining the severity of abdominal obesity depends on measurements of waist and hip circumferences. Among men, it is diagnosed when the waist circumference is greater than 40 inches (102 cm) and the waist-to-hip ratio is greater than 0.9. In women, it is diagnosed when the waist circumference is greater than 35 inches (88 cm) and the waist-to-hip ratio is greater than 0.85.
According to studies, measurements of abdominal obesity predict the health risks of obesity more accurately than measurements of body mass index (BMI). For example, the association with the metabolic syndrome of abdominal obesity is very evident among people who have excessive waist circumference. In fact, along with elevated blood pressure, increased low-density lipoprotein (LDL), decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and increased blood sugar, the International Diabetes Federation considers the central obesity as the main criterion for metabolic syndrome.
Visceral fat is found within the abdominal cavity, so compression of abdominal organs such as the liver, kidneys, and abdominal aorta can occur. This could lead to obesity abdominal pain symptoms. Another possible link between central obesity and abdominal pain is the increased risk of gallstones among obese people. Abdominal pain due to gallstones usually occurs in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen.
There is an increased risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease among people who have this condition, so abdominal obesity treatment is needed. Proper diet modification and regular aerobic exercise are still considered the first-line treatments for this condition. For people who find it difficult to lose weight through diet and exercise alone, orlistat, a drug that reduces fat absorption, may be prescribed. Surgery, such as bariatric surgery or gastric bypass surgery, may be considered for patients who are unresponsive to diet, exercise, and medications.
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