Carrying excess body fat is more than an aesthetic concern. Many people want to lose body fat simply so they look good, however, losing body fat has far more important benefits.
Having a high percentage of body fat is one of the biggest drivers of chronic and degenerative disease. It contributes to chronic low-grade inflammation, accelerated ageing, hormone disruption and metabolic problems as well asa range of more serious health conditions.
Unfortunately in Australia and New Zealand, the prevalence of obesity is skyrocketing, with almost 55% of men and women currently overweight or obese, making us one of the heaviest nations in the world. It is also worrying to know that 20-25% of Australian children are also overweight or obese, a statistic that will surely translate to an unsustainable financial burden on our healthcare system in the long run.
“Obesity’s health consequences range from increased risk of premature death to serious chronic conditions that reduce the overall quality of life.”
– The World Health Organization
Visceral Fat – the most dangerous fat of all
Visceral fat is fat that is stored inside the peritoneum, around the organs in the abdomen. Some people think of it as a ‘muffin top’ or a ‘pot belly’. Ultimately this type of fat is the most dangerous of all and is related to chronic inflammation, cardiovascular disease and other degenerative conditions. In fact, this type of fat tissue is so metabolically active that it is often read as muscle tissue during a bioimpedance analysis scan, which is one of the reasons we measure your waist at the start of your program. Losing fat from around your middle and maintaining a healthy waist measurement is associated with a significantly reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
The Australian government recommends that men should have a waist measurement less than 94cm and women should have a waist measurement less than 80 cm.
The great news is that if you are carrying excess body fat, losing even a small amount (as little as 10%) can significantly reduce your chances of developing numerous chronic diseases. Keeping it off can make a significant impact on your long-term health over the course of your life.
Top 5 Benefits of Fat Loss
- Increases energy and vitality
- Makes you feel good and look fantastic
- Slows the ageing process
- Reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease and chronic ill health
- Decreases the wear and tear on your joints helping you to maintain your mobility into your old age