Diseases of the Heart: Obesity around the midsection is associated with an elevated danger of developing coronary artery disease, hypertension, and stroke. Problems with the heart and blood vessels can develop when belly fat cells secrete chemicals that exacerbate arterial plaque.
People who carry extra fat around their middles are more likely to have insulin resistance and eventually acquire type 2 diabetes. Elevated blood sugar levels may result from an alteration in the body's insulin sensitivity brought on by visceral fat.
Liver diseases can occur when excess fat accumulates in the liver as a result of obesity, namely visceral fat. This can lead to a condition called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which, in extreme cases, can develop to more severe illnesses such as liver inflammation or cirrhosis.
Abdominal fat in excess might provide a risk for sleep apnea, a disorder marked by disrupted breathing while sleeping.