Android obesity : full explanations

Obesity is a disease that is becoming more and more prevalent in Western countries. When fat is stored in the abdomen of overweight people, it is called android obesity. Through this article, we will better define abdominal obesity is and discuss treatment solutions to combat it.

What is android obesity ?

According to the WHO, obesity is a serious endemic public health threat worldwide (1). Obesity is said to be android when fat accumulates in the upper part of the body and the abdomen. This phenomenon occurs, particularly in obese men. It is also sometimes found in postmenopausal women whose estrogen levels are decreasing. Abdominal obesity results in an enlarged belly. It differs from gynoid obesity, where fat is located more in the thighs and buttocks. The amount of fat in your body as well as where it is located can affect your metabolism. Excessive weight gain is an abnormal situation that should not be taken lightly. It is advisable to consult a doctor as soon as possible when you notice that you are overweight.

How to diagnose obesity abdominal ?

The Body Mass Index is an indicator for diagnosing obesity. It is measured by dividing weight in kg by height in square meters. A person is said to be obese when his or her BMI is above 30
. To identify abdominal obesity, BMI monitoring must be followed by waist circumference measurement. More and more doctors prefer to use waist circumference measurements to determine the forms of obesity. According to the International Diabetes Federation (2), waist circumference should not exceed 94 cm in men and 80 cm in women.

The differentiation ratio between android obesity and gynoid obesity can also be made by measuring the ratio of waist to hip circumference. When the index obtained is greater than 1.0 for a man and 0.85 for a woman, it is a case of android obesity. Ultimately, BMI results are no longer sufficient to make an accurate diagnosis of obesity.

Causes of android obesity

Fat distribution can be influenced by the sex and age of the person with metabolic disorders. Marked obesity in the abdominal area can have several causes. The main factors are :

Heredity (25% risk of obesity if one of the parents suffers from it and 80% if both are concerned) ;
Excessive food consumption and lack of physical activity (imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure) ;
Taking certain corticosteroid medications or the antipsychotics ;
Certain diseases génétiques ;
The bad habits of vying ;
Neurological causes ;
Disorders hormonal ;
Metabolic slowdown (difficulty burning fat after quitting smoking, for example);
Metabolic disorders (increased insulin levels in the blood) ;
Psychological problems.

Health consequences of android obesity

Android obesity is the most complex form of obesity. It is accompanied by some embarrassing symptoms and sometimes even some serious diseases. Excess abdominal fat can be a health hazard. Individuals with an apple-shaped rather than pear-shaped appearance are more prone to these dysfunctions :

Tiredness ;
shortness of breath ;
Joint problems such as osteoarthritis ;
Diabetes type 2 ;
Arterial hypertension ;
Coronary heart disease and cardiovascular problems ;
Dyslipidemia;
Fibrinolysis abnormalities.

Treatments for abdominal obesity…

Abdominal obesity can make life very disabling for those who suffer from it. Your doctor can accompany you during your slimming diet. He or she can also refer you to doctors who specialize in nutrition and weight loss. You can also benefit from the advice of a sports coach and a life coach. Be active by practicing sport regularly and eating healthy (vegetables, fruit, cereals, drink plenty of water).

If you cannot find a solution to your overweight problem despite your determination, consider surgical treatment. Ask your doctor for advice. In any case, whatever your morphology, do not stress. According to scientific studies, stress is bad for your health. It leads to an increase in cortisol and, as a result, to an enlarged belly.