Are you an apple or a pear? Evidence shows that where body fat is deposited has a very important influence on health risks. Fat stored around the waist (apple shape) is much more of a health hazard than fat which is deposited over the hips and thighs (pear shape). This is because fat around the waist is associated with fat deposited within the abdominal cavity (visceral fat) and it is this which appears to cause many of the obesity-associated risk factors such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.
Apple shape (Android)
Typical male pattern, with fat deposited around waist and within the abdominal cavity (visceral fat). Strong association with heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and other health risks.
Pear shape (Gynecoid)
Typical female pattern, with fat deposited around hips and thighs. Relatively weak association with health risks.
It is also clear that your ethnic background can have an important influence on the health consequences of any given waist measurement.
So, the simplest way to tell whether you are carrying too much fat around your middle (visceral fat) is to take your waist measurement. Check your waist measurement here!
