Abdominal obesity may be defined as excess deposits of fat in the abdominal region. It is a common health condition seen in South Asians and is positively related to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). It is independent of body mass index and measured by raised waist circumference for men≥90 cm and women≥80 cm. The reason for its prevalence being common in Indians finds its root from pregnancy, during fetal period and has emerged as a concept of ‘Thin Fat Indian’. Malnutrition in such a critical period of growth has consequences in the form of reduced basal metabolic rate (BMR), reduced blood flow to growing tissues, reduced functional ability of vital organs, endocrine changes and reduced capacity of primary adipose tissue. However, excess of visceral fat facilitates high dosage of adipokines in the portal vein to liver and other body tissues having serious implications seen in the form NCDs like diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases, non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases, kidney disorders, cancer and other health problems. Abdominal obesity should be addressed before it has progressed further to defined health issues by exercise and diet, so that people can live a quality life.

腹部肥胖可以定义为腹部区域脂肪过多沉积。这是南亚人常见的健康状况，与非传染性疾病 (NCD) 呈正相关。它与身体质量指数无关，男性≥90 cm，女性≥80 cm，通过腰围升高来测量。它在印度人中普遍流行的原因是从怀孕、胎儿期开始，并已成为“瘦胖印度人”的概念。在如此关键的生长时期营养不良会导致基础代谢率 (BMR) 降低、流向生长组织的血流量减少、重要器官功能降低、内分泌变化和初级脂肪组织容量降低等形式的后果。然而，过多的内脏脂肪促进门静脉中大量脂肪因子进入肝脏和其他身体组织，对糖尿病、高血压、心脏病、非酒精性脂肪肝、肾脏疾病、癌症和其他健康问题等非传染性疾病产生严重影响. 在腹部肥胖通过运动和饮食进一步发展为明确的健康问题之前，应该加以解决，这样人们才能过上有质量的生活。