Abdominal obesity - main symptoms, treatment, prevention
With abdominal obesity, fat deposits accumulate in the abdominal area.
There are two options: subcutaneous and intra-abdominal. Experts consider the second to be more dangerous, since it quite often acts as a background for the development of many chronic diseases. Fat can be deposited in the omentum, abdominal cavity, and around internal organs. The causes of obesity include poor nutrition and genetics. In women, the disorder may result from pregnancy and childbirth. Abdominal type of obesity - classification:
- first stage - waist circumference in women is more than 80 cm, in men - more than 95;
- second – OT in women is more than 85, in men – from 95 to 103 cm;
- third – OT for women – 89 and more, for men – 105 and more.
Abdominal (upper) type of obesity. Reference
Abdominal (from the Latin abdomen - belly), or android (from the Greek andros - man), or upper type of obesity is characterized by excessive deposition of adipose tissue in the abdomen and upper torso. The figure becomes like an apple. Apple-shaped obesity is more common in men and is the most dangerous to health. It is with this type that diseases such as diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, heart attacks and strokes more often develop.
Femoral-gluteal , or lower type of obesity is characterized by the development of adipose tissue mainly in the buttocks and thighs. The figure is shaped like a pear. Obesity of the “pear” type is often found in women and, as a rule, is accompanied by the development of diseases of the spine, joints and veins of the lower extremities.
Mixed or intermediate type of obesity is characterized by an even distribution of fat throughout the body.
To determine the type of obesity, you need to measure the circumference of the waist and hips and calculate their ratio: with abdominal obesity, the specified ratio in men exceeds 1.0; for women - 0.85. A simpler measure of abdominal obesity is waist circumference. If the waist in men exceeds 102 cm, and in women - 88 cm, this is abdominal obesity and a serious cause for concern.
Most of the fat tissue in the abdominal area is visceral fat. Unlike subcutaneous adipose tissue, visceral fat surrounds internal organs - the liver, pancreas and others. It accumulates hormones produced by the body, reduces the sensitivity of tissues to insulin and thus can cause diabetes and various health problems.
Visceral fat is not affected by any external cosmetic methods (such as myostimulation, electrolipolysis, massage, wraps, vacuum therapy, etc.). This type of fat deposits can only be combated with the help of dietary correction and physical activity (aerobic, not strength).
But, as a rule, most men also have superficial fat. And it is the superficial fat that is the most “stubborn” if it is located in areas typical for men. These “male” fat deformations are located in the abdominal area - the “beer belly”, around the waist - the “lifebuoy”, in the lower back - the “handrails of love”, on the chest. These “problem areas” cannot be corrected through diet or physical activity, but require a specially developed physiotherapeutic treatment program.
In order to prevent abdominal obesity, it is necessary to introduce basic knowledge of rational nutrition and cultivate a reasonable attitude towards food.
The amount of food consumed should be moderate, not causing a feeling of oversaturation, and patients with abdominal obesity should gradually reduce the amount of food. It is not recommended to eat a lot in the evening hours, when a person’s physical activity is reduced and food mainly serves as a source of fat deposits.
If signs of abdominal obesity appear, sugar, confectionery and white flour products, alcohol, sugary drinks and juices should be removed from the diet, limit or completely avoid cereals and potatoes, and avoid fatty foods, especially of animal origin. In the diet, when treating abdominal obesity, dishes from lean meats, fish, poultry, eggs, low-fat dairy products, rye bread, vegetables, herbs, seasonal berries, especially blueberries and black currants should prevail.
Patients with abdominal obesity are advised to eat slowly, slowly. The feeling of satiety depends on many factors, and, above all, on the level of glucose in the blood. Carbohydrates begin to break down in the oral cavity. When eating quickly, the feeling of fullness is delayed due to the shortening of the period of breakdown and absorption of sugars, so those who eat quickly often overeat. You can also fight the feeling of hunger with physical activity. Intense exercise reduces hunger. Patients with abdominal obesity are also recommended to drink warm water before meals, preferably alkaline mineral water without gas, or drink a few sips of warm milk or tea brewed with milk.
The material was prepared based on information from open sources
Watch the full episode of the “Fed and Slim” program with Margarita Koroleva: “A man’s approach to healthy eating” >>
Abdominal obesity in men
The violation is not only externally unattractive, but also poses a serious threat to the body. Against the background of abdominal obesity, men may develop metabolic disorders, cardiovascular pathology, and diabetes. Abdominal obesity is a type of android obesity that occurs as a result of excess intra-abdominal fat.
Causes of abdominal obesity:
- poor nutrition and overeating;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- dysfunction of the hypothalamus;
- chronic fatigue, stress;
- decreased testosterone. Doctors say that the wider a man’s waist, the less male hormones he has in his body.
Predisposing factors include: impaired serotonin synthesis, malfunction of the digestive system, and genetics.
Causes and symptoms of abdominal obesity and metabolic syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is characterized by atherogenic and diabetogenic disorders associated with insulin resistance, which leads primarily to abdominal obesity. As early as 1988, scientists proposed that insulin resistance plays a key role in the development and catalysis of metabolic disorders. In support of this, many modern studies on the impact of insulin resistance have shown that the disorder can cause clusters of atherogenic disorders, inflammatory conditions, elevated blood pressure and a prothrombotic profile. The overall physiological effect of insulin resistance is diagnosed as abdominal obesity.
It has been established that the cause of insulin resistance and, ultimately, abdominal obesity is associated with hypercortisolemia and a significant deficiency of sex steroid hormones. These hormonal aberrations particularly influence the development of dysfunctional adipose tissue, paving the way for the accumulation of visceral fat and increased visceral fat depots.
Although the exact origin of neuroendocrine disorders is unknown, research suggests that psychosocial factors such as sensitivity to stress may contribute to its development.
People with abdominal obesity caused by metabolic syndrome are primarily characterized by an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Accumulation of fat in the abdomen, as well as excess visceral adipose tissue, are also signs of the syndrome.
Cardiac ischemia
Patients with abdominal obesity due to metabolic syndrome may also have the following symptoms:
- hypertriglyceridemia;
- low HDL cholesterol;
- insulin resistance;
- increased apolipoprotein B;
- prothrombotic profile;
- elevated inflammatory markers;
- hyperinsulinemia;
- low LDL.
Additionally, patients with type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of developing coronary heart disease compared to the nondiabetic population. Patients with type 2 diabetes who suffer from abdominal obesity most often suffer from metabolic syndrome.
Abdominal obesity in women
This disorder in women is primarily associated with severe hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy and menopause. The consequence of such changes can be not only extra centimeters at the waist, but also disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system, diseases of the reproductive system, and diabetes.
A special risk group includes women with thyroid diseases and polycystic ovary syndrome. Women who have gained a lot of weight during pregnancy need increased attention from specialists. Abdominal obesity in women who were overweight before pregnancy is diagnosed in 50% of cases.
Clinical manifestations of pathology
Since obesity most often affects vital organs such as the heart, liver, kidneys, blood vessels and lungs, symptoms include:
- shortness of breath with minimal physical activity;
- rapid fatigue and decreased performance;
- disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract;
- phlebeurysm;
- increased blood pressure;
- decreased sexual activity;
- disorders in the reproductive system (amenorrhea, infertility);
- development of sleep apnea;
- depression.
You can read more about the symptoms and indicators of abdominal obesity on the pages of our website Dobrobut.com.
Bloated belly
Bloating and enlargement of the abdomen themselves are not associated with abdominal fat. But this is an alarming signal about problems with digestion that gradually contribute to its accumulation. A bloated belly, the appearance of which is associated with digestive disorders, can be easily removed if you adjust your diet and diet. Bloating occurs as a result of increased gas production and/or poor intestinal motility.
It intensifies after eating, especially if there is a long gap between meals, and decreases when lying down and goes away during the night. In this case, there is no particular need for intensive physical training. Just eat a balanced diet, including foods that regulate digestion, and avoid dairy and gluten products, as they can cause and aggravate the problem.
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Which doctor should I contact?
A gastroenterologist will be able to find out the causes of abdominal obesity and develop a treatment regimen. After a physical examination, the specialist will prescribe a number of additional studies and consultation with specialized doctors (endocrinologist, therapist and nutritionist).
Laboratory tests - general blood test and biochemistry.
Instrumental examination - gastroscopy, ultrasound of the abdominal organs, computer diagnostics, magnetic resonance imaging and radiography.
After receiving the results, the doctor will write out a treatment regimen for abdominal obesity and monitor its implementation. Please note that the course of therapy is quite long - from 6 to 12 months.
Diagnosis of abdominal obesity and metabolic syndrome
Scientists have found that body mass indexes indicating clinical obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2) are not a determining factor in abdominal obesity metabolic syndrome; rather, it primarily indicates the presence of excess adipose tissue.
Thus, when diagnosing patients with metabolic syndrome, endocrinologists study the patients' metabolic complications, especially in terms of body fat. High-precision technologies such as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) are used to measure total body fat and abdominal fat accumulation.
X-ray absorptiometry
Proper diagnosis of the syndrome can also be made by referring to screening tools developed by national and international health organizations, such as the National Cholesterol Education Program, World Health Organization, International Diabetes Federation, European Insulin Study Group, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Many modern Russian endocrinology clinics take into account the recommendations of foreign colleagues in their practice.
