Weight management is not simply looking at the number on the weight or body mass index (BMI). Where the body stores fat plays a decisive role in the risk of disease and effective treatment.
According to Dr. Amit Mishra, Senior Consultant – Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes at the Hospital and Jaypee Research Institute (Noida, India), obesity does not appear the same in everyone. Depending on the location of fat accumulation, it can be divided into main groups:
Belly obesity (central obesity): Fat is mainly concentrated around the stomach area. This is the most dangerous type because it is closely related to heart disease, type 2 diabetes and metabolic disorders due to visceral fat surrounding important organs.
Peripheral obesity: Fat accumulates around the hips, thighs and buttocks. This type often brings health risks other than belly fat.
General obesity: Excess fat spreads throughout the body, not limited to a specific area.
Diagnosis and role of genetics
Although the BMI helps classify obesity into three levels (I, II, III), doctors today often further assess waist circumference, living habits, hormonal conditions and metabolic health to have a panoramic picture.
Regarding the cause, Dr. Mishra affirmed that genetics plays a large role in deciding the "place" where the body accumulates fat. Some people tend to accumulate belly fat, while others accumulate in the hips. However, lifestyle (including diet, exercise, sleep and stress management) are still key factors that can be changed.
Personalized weight management strategy
Each type of obesity needs a separate roadmap. For example, people with abdominal obesity need to pay special attention to strong lifestyle changes:
Reduce refined carbohydrates, increase protein and fiber.
Combine regular aerobic exercise with strength training.
Medical examination: In some cases, it is necessary to assess hormones to rule out pathological causes of weight gain.
Dr. Mishra emphasized that understanding your own type of obesity helps doctors identify risks early and develop accurate intervention strategies, instead of just focusing on losing purely weight.
