Skinny fat is a term to describe those who might be thin but have a high percentage of body fat. The medical term is sarcopenic obesity. This condition refers to an individual who may have what would be considered a normal/healthy weight, but metabolically, this person shares many health characteristics as someone who is overweight or obese. And that means they are at risk for a variety of health problems.
The Cause?
- Losing muscle mass and gaining fat mass due to maintaining the same caloric intake and a sedentary lifestyle creates a skinny fat condition
The Description?
- A person who is sarcopenic obese will have high fat mass and low muscle mass
The Analysis?
- Getting a body composition test can help assess your body fat and muscle mass distribution
Possible Risks?
- Increased risk of heart disease
- High cholesterol
- Insulin resistance, leading to Type 2 Diabetes
- Lower bone mineral density
- Loss of cognitive function
The Solution?
- Eating a protein-rich diet
- Increase Skeletal Muscle Mass with weight training
Just because someone looks skinny, don’t just assume they are healthy.
