“In my practice, I often encounter fit individuals with an active lifestyle who, despite a healthy weight, still have an increased cardiovascular risk profile,” says Dr. E. Semedo-Swart, cardiologist at Prescan. “An important explanation for this could be the amount of visceral fat. As a hidden risk marker, this insight can help to timely identify this group and raise awareness.” - Dr. E. Semedo – Swart, Cardiologist Prescan
The fat you can't see
Visceral fat is fat tissue located deep in the abdominal cavity, surrounding organs like the liver, intestines, and pancreas. Unlike subcutaneous fat, this organ fat is not visible or palpable on the outside of the body.
In body composition examinations, visceral fat is therefore considered an important indicator of metabolic health.
Why visceral fat is clinically relevant
Scientific research shows that an increased amount of visceral fat is associated with a higher risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, and lipid metabolism disorders.
This explains why a seemingly healthy weight does not always mean that the metabolic profile is favorable.
Why you can't see visceral fat
An important characteristic of visceral fat is that it does not accumulate on the outside of the body. A person can be slim and still have a relatively high amount of organ fat. This is also referred to as invisible or hidden abdominal fat.
“Without targeted measurement, this type of fat often goes unnoticed for years, even though it can have clinical consequences.”
Why Measuring Visceral Fat is Valuable
Measuring visceral fat provides additional information beyond general metrics such as weight, BMI, and body fat percentage. By specifically looking at organ fat, a more complete picture of body composition and metabolic profile is created.
"For preventive medicine, it is important to identify risk factors before symptoms arise."
Furthermore, monitoring visceral fat over time can provide insight into the effects of lifestyle changes, even when body weight hardly changes.
How doctors measure visceral fat
There are several methods for measuring body composition. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) provides a general estimate of fat and muscle mass but cannot directly distinguish visceral fat. DEXA scans offer more detail but remain limited in accurately assessing organ fat.
Imaging techniques are used to measure visceral fat. Both CT and MRI scans allow for the visualization and quantification of fat tissue around the abdominal organs. CT is a valid method but uses ionizing radiation.
“MRI provides a detailed view of fat distribution and body composition, without radiation exposure, and is therefore suitable for preventive measurements and follow-up.”
Within preventive medicine, MRI is increasingly used to accurately map body composition, visceral fat, and liver steatosis. This information helps to detect and better understand health risks earlier, even in people considered healthy based on weight or BMI.
