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Conditions

Abdominal obesity

Excess fat in the abdominal area

Abdominal obesity — measuring waist circumference

Abdominal (central) obesity is the accumulation of fat around the waist and the internal organs (visceral fat). It is more dangerous than "evenly distributed" obesity and is closely linked to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.

The key point: abdominal obesity is assessed by waist circumference independently of BMI — the waist can be large even at a normal weight.

Why it is more dangerous than subcutaneous fat

Visceral fat around the organs is metabolically active: it releases pro-inflammatory substances, aggravates insulin resistance and raises the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Subcutaneous fat on the hips is, in that sense, less harmful.

How to measure it

The simplest way is waist circumference with a tape measure (per the WHO protocol). In addition, the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and the waist-to-height ratio are used — they reflect fat distribution more accurately than BMI.

Reference ranges

Waist circumference (IDF thresholds for Europeans):

Men — increased risk≥ 94 cm
Women — increased risk≥ 80 cm
High risk (AHA/NHLBI)men ≥ 102 cm · women ≥ 88 cm
Important: Thresholds differ slightly by ethnicity and guideline. Abdominal obesity is one of the key criteria of metabolic syndrome.

Calculate using this marker

Calculators where Abdominal obesity is used directly:

Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR) Your fat distribution, body shape, and cardiometabolic risk Open Waist-to-Height Ratio (WtHR) Abdominal fat and cardiometabolic risk from your waist-to-height ratio Open Body Composition Body fat, muscle mass (FFMI, SMM, SMI), body shape, and ABSI — all in one Open Metabolic Syndrome IDF/NCEP criteria — waist circumference, blood pressure, glucose, and lipids Open

Frequently asked questions

What waist circumference is considered normal?

Roughly below 94 cm in men and below 80 cm in women (European IDF thresholds). Higher values indicate abdominal obesity and increased cardiometabolic risk even at a normal BMI.

Can you target visceral fat specifically?

You cannot "burn" belly fat locally, but visceral fat is the first to go with overall weight loss: a calorie deficit, regular activity and cutting fast carbohydrates noticeably shrink the waist.

Related terms

Visceral fat Fat around the internal organs Android body type ("apple") Fat predominantly on the abdomen Metabolic syndrome A cluster of cardiometabolic risk factors Insulin resistance Reduced sensitivity of cells to insulin Waist circumference A marker of abdominal (visceral) obesity WHR (Waist-to-hip ratio) The ratio of waist to hip circumference Waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) The ratio of waist circumference to height TOFI (normal-weight obesity) "Thin outside, fat inside" BMI Body mass index

Sources

  1. Alberti KGMM et al. IDF consensus worldwide definition of the metabolic syndrome. Diabet Med, 2006
  2. Alberti KGMM et al. Harmonizing the Metabolic Syndrome. Circulation, 2009
  3. WHO — Waist Circumference and Waist–Hip Ratio (report)
info
This content is educational and does not replace consultation with a physician. Reference ranges may vary depending on the laboratory and method — rely on the ranges stated on your own test report.
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