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What is Fat? |
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Like muscle, bone and water, fat, such as belly fat or abdominal fat, is an essential component of your body. It regulates your temperature, protects your internal organs and tissues, and provides a place where your body can store energy for later use.
The medical term for body fat is adipose tissue, and its energy-storing cells are known as adipocytes. Water is also present in these fat cells, although in significantly smaller percentages than in other types of cells in the body. |
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How does the body make fat?Soon after you’ve eaten a meal, the fat, sugar and protein in the food becomes processed and absorbed (through the lining of your small intestine) into your bloodstream, which sends it around the body to be used by various organs and tissues. Any excess amount is stored in your fat cells for later use.
Extra calories from any kind of food—not just fatty foods—will end up on your body as fat. |
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Why is my belly fat?We see it on our stomachs. Around our thighs. Our belly. For some it’s in one place, for others somewhere else. Where your body deposits its excess fat is determined by your personal genetic code. In general, however, women tend to “fatten up” around the thighs, hips and buttocks, while men generally stash their excess fat around their belly, stomach and abdominal areas.
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How much is too much body fat?According to the National Institutes of Health, the recommended amount of body fat for optimum health is 13-17 percent for men and 20-21 percent for women. Most Americans, however, carry far too much fat on their bodies. Men typically have a body fat of 17-19 percent and women of 22-25 percent.
Obesity is defined as body fat that is greater than 25 percent in men and 30 percent in women. Having a body fat percentage under the recommended levels is also considered potentially unhealthy. |
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Find a Fat Reduction Specialist
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Dr. Brightman discusses fat treatments
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