Persistent fat around the middle may be more than a cosmetic concern, as visceral fat is linked to insulin resistance and a higher risk of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Persistent belly fat is not always a cosmetic issue. It can also be one of the earliest outward hints that the body is becoming less responsive to insulin, the hormone that helps move glucose out of the bloodstream and into cells for energy. When that process begins to fail, the body may compensate by producing more insulin, a pattern that can eventually raise the risk of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Harvard Health says the concern is greatest when weight is concentrated around the middle, because visceral fat, the deeper fat that surrounds internal organs, is more closely tied to metabolic trouble than body weight alone.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
