Hailey
Hidden Fat: Even if you look slim, you might still have fat hidden deep inside your body that can quietly harm your heart and arteries.
Doctors call this condition “skinny fat”, and new research shows it can increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and artery damage, even for people with a normal weight.
What Does “Skinny Fat” Mean?
Being “skinny fat” means your body looks healthy on the outside, but inside there are fat deposits around organs and in the liver. This kind of fat is dangerous because it affects how your body handles sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure.
Experts say BMI (Body Mass Index), which measures weight based on height, doesn’t always tell the full story. A person with a healthy BMI can still have high levels of visceral fat or liver fat, both of which can increase the chance of heart and artery problems.
The Hidden Danger: Visceral and Liver Fat
Visceral fat sits deep in your abdomen, surrounding important organs like your stomach, intestines, and liver. Liver fat, also known as fatty liver, develops when extra fat builds up in the liver.
Researchers discovered that both types of fat are strongly linked to thickened artery walls and plaque build-up—two early signs of serious cardiovascular disease. These plaques can block blood flow, leading to heart attacks or strokes.
Study Findings
Scientists from Canada and the United Kingdom studied MRI scans of more than 33,000 adults. They analyzed fat levels and artery health. The study showed that:
- More visceral and liver fat meant thicker artery walls.
- Even after adjusting for cholesterol and blood pressure, hidden fat still caused artery damage.
- People with normal BMI but high hidden fat had the same risk level as those considered overweight.
Doctors say this is a wake-up call to stop relying only on BMI to measure health. Instead, they recommend using imaging tests and lifestyle assessments.
Types of Body Fat
| Fat Type | Location | Visibility | Health Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subcutaneous Fat | Under the skin (arms, thighs) | Easy to see or pinch | Lower risk |
| Visceral Fat | Around internal organs | Hidden inside the abdomen | High risk |
| Liver Fat (Fatty Liver) | Inside the liver | Not visible externally | Very high risk |
Warning Signs and Prevention
You can’t always tell if you have hidden fat just by looking. However, you can lower your risk with a few healthy habits:
- Exercise regularly: Aim for at least 30 minutes of walking or moderate activity most days.
- Eat a balanced diet: Include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins. Avoid sugary and processed foods.
- Sleep well: Poor sleep affects hormones that control fat storage.
- Limit alcohol: Drinking too much alcohol increases liver fat.
- Manage stress: High stress levels lead to weight gain around the abdomen.
- Track waist size: A growing waistline can indicate rising visceral fat.
These habits not only control hidden fat but also improve heart and liver health.
Why It Matters
Looking slim doesn’t always mean being healthy. Hidden fat can quietly damage arteries and increase your risk of heart disease, even if your weight seems normal.
Knowing about “skinny fat” helps you take better care of your body by focusing on where fat is stored, not just how much you weigh.
The term “skinny fat” is a reminder that real health goes beyond appearances. Hidden fat inside your body—especially around your organs and liver—can raise the chances of heart attacks and strokes.
The good news is that lifestyle changes such as eating right, staying active, managing stress, and sleeping well can help reverse this risk. Your heart and arteries depend on what’s happening inside, not just what’s visible outside—so take care of both.