High levels of total body fat can have substantial impact on obesity related diseases such as –
- type 2 diabetes
- high blood pressure
- heart disease and strokes
- certain types of cancer
- sleep apnea
- osteoarthritis
- fatty liver disease
- kidney disease
- pregnancy problems, such as high blood sugar during pregnancy, high blood pressure, and increased risk for caesarean delivery (C-section)
High visceral fat is associated with an increased risk and incidence of obesity related diseases include type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance and inflammatory conditions due to an increase in pro-inflammatory mediators within the body leading to adverse health outcomes and higher mortality. Visceral fat is generally recommended to account for approximately 10-20% total fat in men and 5-8% in women.