Dermatologist Reveals Visceral Fat as Key Health Risk Indicator, Not BMI

• Dr. Priyanka Reddy highlights visceral fat (centripetal fat) as a critical health parameter, more important than BMI or body fat percentage.
• Visceral fat, accumulating around organs, predicts future health problems and is linked to insulin resistance, poor sleep, and stress.
• Measure visceral fat via waist circumference (women >80cm, men >90cm high risk), waist-height ratio (>0.5 unhealthy), DEXA, or smart scales.
• Factors increasing visceral fat include poor sleep, stress, insulin resistance, low muscle mass, alcohol, ultra-processed carbs, and hormonal shifts.
• Reduce visceral fat with strength training, cardio, protein/fiber-rich diet, consistent sleep, stress management, and limiting alcohol/sugary drinks.

Why It Matters: Visceral fat, not just weight or BMI, is a crucial predictor of future health risks and can be managed.