What type of body fat storage pattern is most commonly associated with higher disease risk?

The type of body fat storage pattern most commonly associated with higher disease risk is android fat storage. This pattern refers to fat being primarily distributed around the abdomen and is often characterized by an apple-shaped body. Research has consistently shown that this central distribution of fat is linked to several metabolic disorders, including insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers.

The increased presence of fat around the abdominal area, specifically visceral fat, is of particular concern because it is metabolically active and produces various inflammatory markers and hormones that can disrupt normal bodily functions. This is why individuals with an android fat distribution are often measured with metrics like waist circumference or waist-to-hip ratio to assess their health risks.

In contrast, other types of fat storage, such as gynoid or subcutaneous fat, typically do not carry the same level of disease risk associated with android fat. Gynoid fat storage, which is found around the hips and thighs (often referred to as a pear-shaped distribution), tends to be less metabolically harmful compared to android fat distribution. Subcutaneous fat, located just below the skin, generally poses a lower risk than visceral fat since it is less associated with inflammation and metabolic disturbances.