visceral fat; omental fat; intra-abdominal fat

Function

• endocrine functions

Structure

• found in spaces surrounding the liver, intestines & in the omentum

Pathology

• produces cytokines, angiotensinogen
• secretes retinol-binding protein 4, increasing insulin resistance
• produces less leptin & less adiponectin than subcutaneous fat

Genetics

• influenced by polymorphisms in PPARG gene

Complications

• risk factor for metabolic syndrome
• may be risk factor for dementia
• may be risk factor for asthma
• may be risk factor for breast cancer
• may be a risk factor for colorectal cancer
• abdominal obesity associated with earlier all-cause mortality
• abdominal obesity defined as a waist-to-hip ratio of < 0.9 in men & < 0.85 in women is associated with cognitive impairment

Management

• healthy lifestyle
  • healthy diet, exercise, healthy sleep
  • avoid hostility & depression
• surgical removal of omental fat does not improve insulin sensitivity
• liposuction not recommended

More general terms

• adipose tissue

Additional terms

• waist-to-hip ratio

Database

• OMIM: https://mirror.omim.org/entry/609830