ABDOMINAL OBESITY

The application of magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography to obesity research has changed the focus from body mass and skinfold thickness to abdominal fat mass and visceral adiposity. Intra-abdomina l fat constitutes less than 20% of total body fat but is a major deter minant of fasting and postprandial lipid availability because of its p hysiological (lipolytic rate and insulin resistance) and anatomical (p ortal drainage) properties. High levels of serum free fatty acids, as a result of abdominal obesity, cause excessive tissue lipid accumulati on and contribute to dyslipidaemia, beta cell dysfunction, and hepatic and peripheral insulin resistance. An individual's risk of non-insuli n dependent diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease relates close ly to the inheritance of central obesity and susceptibility to tissue lipotoxicity. (C) 1998 Rapid Science Ltd.