Concept in Definition ABC

Fat is a lipid material of various types and characteristics, present almost exclusively in organisms animals. Fat is characterized by being composed of fatty acids and glycerin. Depending on the amount of molecules for each case, such a combination may result in different types of fat, although the best known is triglyceric fat. Triglycerides have to do largely with the maintenance or not of good health levels and that is why it is one of the most important values ​​to take into account when analyzing the fat of a organism.

Abdominal fat

The volume of the abdomen has long been a concern of men and women who seek to have a slim and well-proportioned figure.

The accumulation of fat at the waist level has been seen as an aesthetic problem, although every day there is more evidence that it is a factor that is related to the development of cardiovascular disease, even when abdominal fat accumulation occurs in a person with a body weight considered normal.

The deposit of abdominal fat is the product of the interrelation of three factors main: genetics, bad eating habits and sedentary lifestyle.

Distribution of abdominal fat

Under the layer of skin that covers the surface of the body, a tissue is distributed that occupies the space between it and the plane formed by the muscles. It is about the subcutaneous tissue. Fat cells called adipocytes are present in this layer, which have the ability to increase in size as the cells accumulate. lipids inside. This phenomenon constitutes an adaptive mechanism that allows the accumulation Energy, so that in equality of volume, adipose tissue can produce a little more than twice the energy of glycogen (a way of accumulating sugar) or protein.

The subcutaneous fat it is the main form of abdominal fat. It is also distributed to the neck, arms, back, buttocks and thighs as the person gains weight. It is often described as a pear-shaped accumulation.

There is a second type of abdominal fat, it is the visceral fat. This is distributed around the internal organs, both at the level of the thorax, surrounding the heart, as at the level of the abdomen. This distribution should alert to the presence of cardiometabolic disorders that double the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Waist diameter as a predictor of risk

Parameters such as blood pressure, body weight, as well as the levels of sugars and lipids in the blood, have been used as parameters to define the risk of developing events such as heart attacks or accidents cerebrovascular

The perimeter or abdominal circumference should also be included in this list, considering as normal values ​​less than 102 cm in men and less than 88 cm in women. The correct way to measure it is using a tape measure that should be placed at the level of the navel.

Increased values ​​of these parameters are associated with the development of diabetes, alterations in cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood, arterial hypertension and thrombosis.

As just stated, there are diversity of fats, although we can divide them into two main types: solid fats and liquid fats. Normally, solid fat is the most popular and well-known, especially since it is the one that becomes most visible in the body or organism of an animal or person. On the other hand, it is common to designate liquid fats with the name of 'oils' although this does not imply that they are no longer fats or are healthier.

Among the different options of existing fats according to their level of saturation, their composition and the proportion of fatty acids, we find the saturated fats (solid fats and harmful to health if they are present in excess in the body), unsaturated fats (liquid and lighter in their structure. Some of them become very important nutrients for the body. Among the unsaturated we also find monounsaturated and polyunsaturated) and finally trans fats (the most harmful of all because they are artificial and generated through a transformation of their characteristics essential).

One of the main objectives of fat is the conversion of its matter into energy that serves the body to function properly. In addition, it allows the protection of internal organs by establishing itself as a delicate membrane, as well as the protection of the body against adverse weather conditions. An excessive accumulation of fat will make the energy consumption not enough to need to be renewed and therefore the adipose tissues grow and are not reused. It is essential to maintain a good percentage of fat in the body to carry out a feeding healthy, exercise and eliminate habits such as smoking.

Adobe Image: Fandy

Fat Topics