Android obesity: full explanations
Obesity is a disease that is becoming increasingly widespread in Western countries. When fat mass is stored in the abdomen in overweight people, it is called android obesity. Through this article, we will better define what abdominal obesity is and discuss treatment solutions to fight it.
What is android obesity?
According to the WHO, obesity is a serious endemic public health threat worldwide(1). Obesity is said to be android when fat accumulates in theupper bodyand abdomen. This phenomenon occurs especially in obese men. It is also sometimes found inpostmenopausal womenwhose estrogen is declining. Abdominal obesity results in a bulky belly. It differs from gynoid obesity where fat is located in the thighs and buttocks. The amount of fat contained in your body as well as where it is located are elements that canaffect your metabolism. The disproportionate increase in weight is an abnormal situation that should not be taken lightly. It is advisable to consult a doctor as soon as possible when you notice that you are overweight.
How to diagnose abdominal obesity?
The Body Mass Indexis an indicator that diagnoses obesity. It is measured by dividing weight in kg by height in square meters. A person is said to be obese when their BMI is greater than 30.
To identify abdominal obesity, BMI control should be followed bywaist circumference measurement. Indeed, more and more doctors prefer to rely on the measurement of waist circumference to determinethe forms of obesity. According to the International Diabetes Federation(2), waist circumference should not exceed94 cm in men and 80 cm in women.
The differentiation ratio between android obesity and gynoid obesity can also be done by measuring theratio between waist circumference and hip circumference. When the index obtained is greater than 1.0 for a man and 0.85 for a woman, it is a case of android obesity. Ultimately, BMI results are no longer sufficient to establish an accurate diagnosis of obesity.
The causes of android obesity
Fat distribution can be influenced by thesex and age of theperson with metabolic disorders. Marked obesity in the abdominal belt can have several causes. The main factors of this evil are:
- Heredity (25% risk of contracting obesity if one of the parents suffers from it and 80% if both are concerned);
- Excessive consumption of food and lack of physical activity (imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure);
- Taking certain corticosteroid medications or antipsychotics;
- Certain genetic diseases;
- Bad lifestyle habits;
- Neurological causes;
- Hormonal disorders;
- Metabolic slowdown (difficulty burning fat after quitting smoking, for example);
- Metabolic disorders (increased insulin levels in the blood);
- Psychological problems.
The Health Consequences of Android Obesity
Android obesity is the most complex form of obesity. It is accompanied by some annoying symptoms and sometimes even some serious illnesses. Excess abdominal fat can be ahealth hazardtag. Individuals with anapple-shaped rather than a pear-shaped appearance are more prone to these dysfunctions:
- Generalized fatigue;
- Breathlessness;
- Joint problems such as osteoarthritis;
- Type 2 diabetes;
- High blood pressure;
- Coronary heart disease and cardiovascular problems;
- Dyslipidemia;
- Abnormalities of fibrinolysis.
Treatments for abdominal obesity
If you can’t find a solution to your overweight problem despite your determination, consider. Ask your doctor for advice. In any case, whatever your morphology, do not stress. According to scientific studies, stress is bad for your health. It causes an increase in cortisol and in turn a dilation of the belly.
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.