Body fat is stored
Fat is stored in the body in different compartments. The two main compartments are subcutaneous (under the skin) and visceral or abdominal (around the internal organs). You may also hear the term ectopic fat, which is when fat “overflows” into other tissues, such as the liver, pancreas and muscles.
Where your fat is located
You have plenty of say over your total amount of body fat. As for where that fat tends to show up? That can be a little harder to manage.
Most people tend to accumulate fat either in their midsection or in their hips and thighs. But your genes (50%), sex (male 6 to 24%, female 14 to 31%) , age (higher level), and hormones could affect how much fat you have and where it goes.
Body fat types
Believe it or not, there are three. Not only does each one have a different function. They’re all located in different parts of your body.
Fat type | Where |
subcutaneous | all over, but mostly around butt, hips, and thighs |
visceral | around abs, but can’t be felt |
brown | shoulder and chest |
Here’s a breakdown of what these fat types are:
- Subcutaneous fat sits on top of your muscle, right underneath your skin. It’s the kind you can poke or pinch, often around your butt, hips, or thighs. This makes up about 90 percent of our fat stores.
- Visceral fat sits deep inside the abdominal cavity. It surrounds vital organs like the liver, intestines, and heart. Unlike subcutaneous fat, you can’t touch or feel it. But it can pose serious health risks. (More on this later.)
- Brown fat is a special type of fat that actually helps the body burn extra calories to stay warm. Babies have a lot of brown fat, but adults have small amounts too, mostly around the shoulder and chest areas. A small study involving five men found spending time in chilly temperatures — around 66°F (19°C) or cooler — can activate it and boost calorie burning
Too much visceral fat can be dangerous
Because it’s stored around your vital organs, visceral fat can make its way into your liver. From there, it’s turned into cholesterol, which travels into the bloodstream and clogs up arteries.
Visceral fat is also thought to signal the release of inflammatory chemicals and contribute to insulin resistance.
Both of these processes can wreak havoc on the body.
Excess visceral fat can increase risk of:
- heart disease
- high blood pressure
- diabetes
- stroke
- certain cancers, including breast and colon cancer
6 tips for healthy fat distribution
- Choose complex carbs and protein.
- Eat healthy fats.
- Exercise 30 minutes a day and increase the intensity.
- Keep your stress in check.
- Get six to seven hours of sleep every night.
- Limit alcohol intake.