Final answer:
Central obesity refers to excess fat stored primarily in the abdomen, which is associated with increased health risks. It's diagnosed through a waist-to-hip ratio and indicates a greater risk than general obesity. Management includes lifestyle modifications like diet and exercise.
Step-by-step explanation:
Excess body fat localized mainly in the upper body is known as central obesity. This type of obesity is characterized by most of the excess fat being stored in the abdomen. Central obesity, which gives the individual an apple shape, is associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This kind of fat distribution can be diagnosed through a waist-to-hip ratio, where a ratio greater than 0.85 for women or 0.90 for men indicates central obesity. Unlike general obesity, where body mass index (BMI) is used to assess overweight status, central obesity specifically looks at where the fat is distributed in the body and its implications for health risks.
There are various factors that influence where fat is stored, including hormones like testosterone and estrogen, and genetics. BMI, although commonly used to estimate body fat, doesn't provide information on fat distribution. Therefore, the waist-to-hip ratio has become a valuable tool as it better predicts mortality in older obese patients due to the higher risks linked to fat stored around the abdomen compared to fat stored around the hips. Lifestyle changes such as improved diet and increased exercise are crucial in managing body fat accumulation and reducing the risk of obesity-related health conditions.