Obesity, defined as excess fat mass, increases risks for multiple metabolic diseases, such as
type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and several types of cancer. Over and above fat
mass per se, the pattern of fat distribution, android or truncal as compared to gynoid or
peripheral, has a profound influence on systemic metabolism and hence risk for metabolic
diseases. Increases in upper body adipose tissue (visceral and abdominal subcutaneous)
confer an independent risk, while the quantity of gluteofemoral adipose tissue is protective …