Table 2.
Characteristics of subcutaneous and visceral fat
| VARIABLES | CHARACTERISTICS | |
|---|---|---|
|
| ||
| SUBCUTANEOUS FAT | VISCERAL FAT | |
| Clinical measurement | Body mass index | Waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, waist-to-hip ratio |
| Association with cardiometabolic disease16 | Association with mortality is inconsistent | Direct linear association with mortality |
| Function15,18 | Metabolic sink and longer-term energy storage | Short-term energy source |
| Cardiac risk23 | Moderate | High |
| Metabolic risk24 | Moderate | High |
| Inflammation22 | Moderate | High |
| Catecholamine response22 | Moderate | Rapid |
| Insulin sensitivity17 | Moderate | Low |
| Metabolic flux18 | Low | High |
| Trend with age25 | Increased to age 65 y, then reduced | Gradual increase |
| Storage duration26 | Long | Short |
| Effect of exercise27 | High levels needed for weight change | Low levels effective for cardiometabolic benefit |
| Adverse effects of refined carbohydrate28 | Moderate | High |