Battle against dangerous belly fat

- Being overweight or obese can be an important risk factor for the occurrence of metabolic, heart and circulatory illnesses. Originally considered pure and passive energy storage, fat tissue has since come to be seen as the biggest endocrine organ of the body. Its effect on metabolism and the risk of illness is not only just concerned with the quantity, but also with the quality of the fat deposits. In contrast to subcutaneous fat, the visceral or abdominal fat in the body’s interior is an independent risk factor for strokes, heart attacks and type 2 diabetes. The cause of this is in the specific properties of the visceral fat cells. These differ, not just in their position from the subcutaneous fat, but also in the receptor equipment and synthesis performance. They react differently to the body’s own messenger chemicals and synthesize greater quantities of fat tissue hormones and signal proteins. These so-called adipokines interfere greatly with the body’s functions and influence feelings of hunger, glucose and fat metabolism. A lot of these adipokines are also linked to the occurrence of arterio-sclerosis and insulin resistance.

Due to the position in the body’s core, visceral fat deposits are not visible at first glance (TOFI – thin outside, fat inside). The weight and body mass index also give little information about the proportion of visceral fat tissue. This means that even those of a normal weight can have visceral obesity, and like obese people, carry a higher risk of arterial hypertonia insulin resistance and cardiovascular illnesses. For this reason, it is important to diagnose an increase in abdominal fat tissues early. A very sensitive method for measuring the body’s composition and difference of the fat compartments, is provided by bio-impedance analysis. The medically validated seca mBCA is able to measure the body composition quickly, non-invasively and precisely, to determine the proportion of visceral fat tissue. This means that even early stages of visceral obesity can be identified early.

After diagnosis, the question of suitable therapy measures arises. Along with calorie reduction, these principally involve physical activity. Currently, a minimum of 30-60 minutes of physical activity each day is recommended. A series of studies have shown that more than anything else, interval training can contribute to the effective reduction of fat mass, including abdominal fat deposits. This involves alternate short anaerobic exercises with recovery phases. In respect of the reduction of abdominal and subcutaneous fat tissue, body composition and the waistline, several significant advantages of intensive interval training can be identified over sustained aerobic activity. Dietary and sporting measures are effectively supported by regular measurements with seca mBCA. Changes in the body’s composition can be closely checked and actions adjusted early. This can increase motivation sustainably to achieve optimal results, even after a short time.

 

Image 1  © “phonrat” / Fotolia.com

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