Subcutaneous Fat

Subcutaneous fat is the soft layer of fat just under your skin that you can pinch. It is different from visceral fat, which sits deep inside around your organs. While too much of either is unhealthy, subcutaneous fat is generally less harmful than visceral fat.

Subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) is the fat depot located beneath the dermis, accounting for roughly 80 to 90% of total body fat. It serves as an energy reservoir and endocrine organ that secretes adipokines. Compared with visceral adipose tissue, subcutaneous fat is metabolically more benign and is associated with lower cardiometabolic risk.

Knowing the difference between subcutaneous and visceral fat helps you and your doctor set realistic goals, because the location of fat, not just the amount, determines health risk. Accord Medical Clinic’s body composition analysis measures both so we can target the fat that matters most.