Subcutaneous Fat: What You Need to Know About the Fat Beneath Your Skin (2024)

What causes subcutaneous fat?

Genetics determine the amount of subcutaneous fat you start with – everyone has some. Environmental factors play an important role in how much subcutaneous fat you develop over time.

A non-healthy diet with high amounts of fatty foods and an inactive lifestyle are the main environmental factors that can contribute to an increase in subcutaneous fat. You may also have more subcutaneous fat if you have low muscle mass and don’t do any aerobic activity. If you have diabetes or are insulin resistant, you may have higher levels of subcutaneous fat as well.

What are the health risks of too much subcutaneous fat?

Some subcutaneous fat is good for your body. It protects your body, serves as an energy reserve and has many other functions. However, too much subcutaneous fat can be unhealthy. If you have too much subcutaneous fat, it’s often a sign that you have too much visceral fat. Too much visceral fat can lead to serious health issues such as:

• Certain cancers: Extra fat raises your risk of developing some cancers.
• Fatty liver diseases: Fatty liver diseases are conditions in which fat builds up in your liver.
• Gallbladder diseases: Gallbladder diseases include gallstones that can lead to inflammation of your gallbladder (cholecystitis).
• Heart disease: Heart disease means you have a problem with your heart.
• High blood pressure (hypertension): High blood pressure happens when blood flows through your blood vessels with greater force than normal.
• Kidney disease: Kidney disease occurs when your kidneys are damaged and can’t filter blood as they should.
• Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is a condition that causes pain, swelling and reduced motion in your joints.
• Sleep apnea: Sleep apnea is a disorder in which you don’t breathe regularly while sleeping.
• Stroke: A stroke can occur when the blood supply to your brain suddenly cuts off due to a blockage or bursting of a blood vessel in your brain or neck.
• Type 2 diabetes: Type 2 diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood sugar is too high.