Biology Forums - Study Force

Differentiate between android obesity and gynoid obesity. Based on recent evidence, discuss which group(s) of individuals are at an increased risk of developing chronic diseases and which of these diseases have been reported.

Android obesity is seen in individuals who tend to store fat in the trunk or abdominal area (which produces the apple shape). Gynoid obesity is seen in people who store fat primarily around the hips and thighs (which creates the pear shape). Obese individuals with abdominal fat are clearly at higher risk for heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, stroke, some types of cancer, dementia, migraines, and diminished lung function. Evidence also indicates that among individuals with a lot of abdominal fat, those whose fat deposits are located around internal organs (intra-abdominal or visceral fat) rather than subcutaneously or retroperitoneally have an even greater risk for disease than those with fat mainly just beneath the skin (subcutaneous fat). Of even greater significance, the results of a recent study that followed more than 350,000 people over almost 10 years concluded that even when body weight is viewed as normal, individuals with a large waist circumference nearly double the risk for premature death. Researchers believe that visceral fat secretes harmful inflammatory substances that contribute to chronic conditions.