User:Aditi bhansali/sandbox

Android fat distribution describes the distribution of human adipose tissue mainly around the trunk and upper body, in areas such as the abdomen, chest, shoulder and nape of the neck. This pattern may lead to an "apple-shaped" or central obesity, and is more common in males than in females. Thus, the android fat distribution of man is about 48.6%, which is 10.3% higher than premenstrual women.[1] Generally during early adulthood, females tend to have a more peripheral fat distribution such that their fat is evenly distributed over their body. However, it has been found that with age as they carry more babies and approach the menopause. This distribution shifts towards the android pattern of fat distribution [2] and resulted in an increase to 42.1% of android body fat distribution in postmenstrual women. [1] The presence of fat in the trunk and upper body in males is facilitated by testosterone. Low levels of testosterone have been found to be correlated with greater levels of fatty deposits around the stomach area. High levels of testosterone are correlated with the opposite. Android fat develops as a back-up source of energy when the male body is experiencing an imbalance, whereas gynoid fat develops after puberty, in order to better prepare the body for supporting a potential infant. [3] The android or male pattern of fat distribution has been associated with a higher incidence of coronary artery disease as well as an increase in resistance to insulin in obese children and adolescents.[4] Studies have also related central abdominal obesity (indicated via increased waist-hip ratio) with increases in peripheral fasting insulin levels.[citation needed] It has also been associated with a change in pressor response in circulation. In response to stress in a subject with central obesity the cardiac output dependent pressor response is shifted toward a generalised rise in peripheral resistance with an associated decrease in cardiac output. Central obesity is measured as increase in waist circumference or waist-hip ratio. Increase in waist circumference > 102 cm (40 in.) in males and > 88 cm (35 in.) in females. However increase in abdominal circumference may be due to increase in subcutaneous or visceral fat, and it is the visceral fat which increases risk of coronary diseases. The visceral fat can be estimated with the help of MRI and CT scan. In Asians and Asian Indians there is increased visceral fat for same waist circumference as compared to Americans and Africans. Android fat distribution is contrasted with gynoid fat distribution, fat around the hips, thighs and bottom, causing a "pear-shape". This more female-patterned fat distribution [5] has been linked to risk factors for cardiovascular disease in both males and females.[6] A In other cases, an ovoid shape forms which does not differentiate between men and women. ^ Jump up to: a b