You might have heard that carrying weight around your middle is more concerning than weight elsewhere. For some people, it’s something they’ve noticed themselves, a gradual increase in abdominal fat that feels harder to shift, or a change in how their body stores weight. What makes this confusing is that not all body fat behaves the same way. Understanding why belly fat behaves differently can help make sense of the risks often linked to it — and when it’s something worth paying closer attention to.
Is belly fat actually more harmful than other types of fat?
Belly fat is not just a myth, but a genuine health concern. Belly fat is a sign of increased intra-abdominal fat (visceral adipose tissue), which can be found within or around the abdominal organs. What matters is the distribution of fat, not just total body weight, as the location where fat is stored determines its metabolic impact. Fat that accumulates within the organs begins to affect their functions, as it releases inflammatory markers that increase the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
What makes belly fat different, and why does it affect your health?
As Doctify-rated Medical Weight Loss Specialist and Weight Loss & Bariatric Surgeon Dr Philip Bazire explains, there are two types of fat: visceral fat and subcutaneous fat. Visceral fat is found around the organs and acts as a protective layer; it is more metabolically active and more prone to inflammation than subcutaneous fat. Consequently, visceral fat has a greater impact on increasing the risk of all chronic diseases associated with being overweight and obesity, particularly type 2 diabetes. Subcutaneous fat on the thighs and hips, on the other hand, is generally less harmful.
How do I know if belly fat could be affecting my health?
As Dr Philip Bazire recalls, visceral fat will begin to affect organ function. This is particularly relevant in the case of the liver and pancreas. It has been shown that pancreatic steatosis is closely linked to type 2 diabetes. Hepatic steatosis can lead to liver dysfunction and fibrosis (which progresses to cirrhosis and liver failure); liver dysfunction, in turn, promotes chronic inflammation and alters blood lipids (fats), thereby increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Fat distribution patterns associated with a higher risk of health problems are characterised by the accumulation of fat around the abdominal area and internal organs, rather than on the thighs and hips. This can manifest in everyday life as excess weight in the abdominal area and gradual changes over time. There are simple indicators that doctors take into account, for example: waist circumference and general metabolic markers (only at elevated levels). However, not all abdominal fat automatically constitutes a health problem.
Why does belly fat affect some people more than others?
Two people with similar weight can have different health risks due to variations in body composition (muscle and fat) and fat distribution (visceral or subcutaneous). Belly fat can affect some people more than others due to multiple causes, but among the most relevant are:
- Genetics and natural fat distribution.
- Hormones and life stages (e.g. ageing, andropause, perimenopause, and menopause).
- Stress, sleep, and lifestyle patterns play an important role as well.
Should I be worried about my belly fat?
Abdominal fat is unlikely to be a cause for concern when it is subcutaneous (located beneath the skin and can be pinched), rather than visceral (deep-seated and surrounding the internal organs). It may be worth consulting your GP if your waist circumference is greater than 94 cm for men and 80 cm for women; or, for both sexes, if your waist measures less than half your height.
Similarly, anyone with a BMI over 25 is classified as overweight.
- BMI >30: obese
- BMI >35: class II obesity
- BMI >40: class III obesity
Another consideration is how excess weight interferes with daily activities. Can the person put on their socks and tie their shoelaces? Do they need help with personal hygiene or getting dressed? What is their exercise tolerance? Can they climb a flight of stairs or go shopping? How easily do they get up from a seated position?
The other main determining factor for deciding to take action is when abnormalities are observed in blood tests. This may manifest as elevated fasting blood glucose levels, impaired kidney or liver function, dyslipidaemia (high blood cholesterol and triglycerides), or more complex tests such as the HOMA index, which measures insulin resistance, and the measurement of inflammatory markers. All of these are signs of significant metabolic abnormalities and an increased risk of disease.
Excess belly fat will increase the risk of chronic disease even in people who are of normal weight, i.e. they look slim and have a BMI within the healthy range but have a pot belly.
Dr Philip Bazire, Doctify-rated Medical Weight Loss Specialist and Weight Loss & Bariatric Surgeon
Conclusion
Belly fat can carry higher health risk due to its link with inflammation. Risk varies between individuals and is influenced by multiple factors. But don’t be worried, this is about awareness, not to alarm you. Always remember to monitor changes and seek advice if concerned about metabolic health. Docify has very experienced GPs that are available to guide you in this process.
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Medically Reviewed
Last reviewed on 06/05/2026
