A protruding stomach includes fat you can see and fat buried between your organs. Subcutaneous fat accumulates on top of the abdominal muscles. Visceral fat mingles between your vital organs. Obese bodies contain high levels of visceral fat. Fat cells fall into two categories: white fat and brown fat. Recent scientific studies indicate that brown fat cells may help curb obesity.
White Fat
The human body uses white adipose tissue, or white fat, to store calories as energy. In "Obesity: Science to Practice," Dr. Gema Frubeck notes that about 50 pounds of white adipose tissue provides enough energy to stave off starvation for 50 to 60 days. When you eat more calories than your body needs to function, the extra calories turn into white fat. Depending on your body type, the white adipose tissue may accumulate on your belly. Left unchecked, excess calories stored in the belly region will cause your stomach to protrude.
Brown Fat
Infants and adolescents have more brown adipose tissue or brown fat than adults -- by the time humans reach adulthood, brown adipose tissue levels drop significantly. However, lean adults likely possess some belly fat in the form of brown adipose tissue. According to Dr. Ronald Khan of the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, young lean adults have higher levels of brown adipose tissue than older obese individuals. Unlike white fat, brown fat burns calories -- by burning calories, brown fat keeps your body warm. Because brown fat increases metabolic activity, it decreases the likelihood of becoming obese.
Subcutaneous
Protruding belly fat falls into the subcutaneous fat category. This fat lies between the abdominal muscles and your skin. Subcutaneous fat is comprised of white adipose fat tissue. A 2004 study published by "Diabetologia" reports higher levels of subcutaneous fat in women versus men. Subcutaneous belly fat in both women and men increases with age. Reduction in subcutaneous belly fat correlates with reduced risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Visceral
Visceral belly fat does not protrude from the belly. It surrounds the vital organs. However, it pushes subcutaneous fat outward leading to a protruding belly. Visceral belly fat not only crowds the organs, but puts individuals at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Harvard Health reports that visceral belly fat is biologically active -- secreting hormones and various other chemicals. The hormones made by visceral fat affect the way insulin is used by the body and may contribute to high cholesterol levels. Maintaining an active lifestyle and engaging in a regular exercise routine can decrease visceral fat levels.
References
- "Obesity: Science to Practice"; Gareth Williams, et al.; 2009
- Public Broadcasting Service; "Brown Fat" Studies Provide New Medical Insights, Hope for Weight Loss; April 2009
- "Diabetologia"; Women and Men have Similar Amounts of Liver and Intra-abdominal Fat, Despite More Subcutaneous Fat in Women...; J. Westerbacka; August 2004
- Harvard Health; Abominal Fat and What to Do About It; December 2006
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