Belly Fat vs Heart Disease: Even if you look thin, you may be at risk of heart attack; the reason will blow your mind!:Many people lose weight thinking they have no problems. Let us explain how belly fat is not just about obesity but also about how it can be dangerous for your health.

News Topical, Digital Desk : Every year on World Obesity Day, a question arises again: Is weight the only real problem? For a long time, body weight and BMI were considered the most important measures of people's health. But now many researches show that more important than the amount of fat in the body is where it is deposited. Weighing machines cannot tell whether there is more muscle or fat in the body and it also cannot show whether the fat is deposited around the internal organs or not.

What is belly fat?

Fat accumulated around the abdomen, commonly known as belly fat, can increase the risk of heart disease. This occurs even in people who appear to be of normal weight. In fact, not all types of fat behave the same way in the body. Fat accumulated around the hips and thighs is considered relatively less harmful, but fat accumulated in the abdominal cavity, around the liver, pancreas, and intestines can be more dangerous.

What is the problem?

This internal fat releases inflammatory chemicals into the body, affects insulin function, increases blood pressure, and can disrupt cholesterol levels. Dr. Varun Bansal told TOI that when it comes to heart health, it's not just weight, but the distribution of body fat that's more important. Excessive fat, especially around the abdomen, can increase the risk of heart attack and coronary artery disease.

What is the problem in India?

This problem is considered even more serious in India. According to the INDIAB study by the Indian Council of Medical Research, many Indians were found to have an increased waist circumference despite having a normal weight, as well as high blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure. This condition is called normal weight obesity or metabolic obesity. This means that a person may appear thin, but the fat stored inside the abdomen can pose a risk to the heart.

According to experts, waist circumference is considered an important indicator for Indians. A waist circumference of less than 90 centimeters for men and less than 80 centimeters for women is considered the most important measurement. It's also easy to measure by placing a tape measure around the navel while standing upright and exhaling normally.

How can we reduce this?

Crash diets aren't always the right solution for losing belly fat, as they can also lead to muscle loss. Instead, regular exercise, especially strength training, a diet rich in protein, low in processed carbohydrates, adequate sleep, and stress management are considered more effective.