According to the findings of the study, visceral fat located in the abdominal area and surrounding internal organs is directly linked to the development of atherosclerosis, even among individuals with normal weight and without visible abdominal fat. Researchers analyzed MRI data from 33,000 men and women and compared it with lifestyle, medical history, body mass index, and other risk factors.
The authors of the study emphasize that visceral fat is metabolically active and potentially dangerous. It can cause inflammatory processes and arterial damage even in individuals who are not overweight. Co-author Sonia Anand from McMaster University highlighted the importance of revising existing methods for assessing obesity and cardiovascular disease risks.
Thus, scientists believe that to more accurately predict the likelihood of stroke and heart attack, it is necessary to consider not only body mass index and waist circumference but also MRI data.
Previously, visceral fat has already demonstrated its health risks by affecting the structure and functions of the brain, as shown in another study.
