"Obesity
Meaning of Android and Ginoid
In 1950 Jean Vague introduced the distinction between android obesity and gynoid obesity, noting that the former was associated with a greater risk of hypercholesterolemia, hyperuricemia, hypertension and reduced carbohydrate tolerance.
In addition to the quantitative point of view (excess fat mass), obesity must therefore also be investigated under the qualitative aspect.
Already in physiological conditions, male and female are distinguished by a different distribution of the adipose mass. The body shapes are in fact linked to the relationship between male (androgens) and female (estrogens) sex hormones. This phenomenon becomes evident in the postmenopausal period, in which, due to the drop in estrogen levels, there is a redistribution of body fat.
In pathological conditions these differences can be exacerbated, giving rise to the two main types of obesity: android (or apple), typical of men, and gynoid (pear), typical of women.
Android Obesity
Also called central, visceral, truncular or "apple": typically male, it is associated with a greater distribution of adipose tissue in the abdominal, thoracic, dorsal and cerviconucal region.
Android obesity is also associated with a high deposition of fat in the intravisceral area (abdominal or internal).
Gynoid obesity
Also called peripheral, subcutaneous or "pear-shaped": typically female, it is characterized by a distribution of adipose masses in the lower half of the abdomen, in the gluteal and femoral regions. In gynoid obesity, fat is mainly present in the subcutaneous compartment, resulting in a high ratio of superficial to deep fat.
PLEASE NOTE:
- the most dangerous obesity, as far as cardiovascular and metabolic complications are concerned, is the android one, whether it occurs in men or appears in women.
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the two forms of obesity are typical, but not exclusive to the two sexes; in fact, cases of men with gynoid morphotype and women with android morphotype are not rare.
Waist circumference and WHR
To assess the type of obesity that is being observed, simply measure the circumference of the waist at its narrowest point (without wearing clothing that offsets the measurement).
A more objective figure is obtained by calculating the ratio between the circumference measured at the umbilical (waist) and buttock (hips) level. This report, called WHR (from the English Waist to Hip ratio), relies on the following values:
- we speak of android obesity when the WHR ratio is greater than 0.85
- we speak of gynoid obesity when the WHR ratio is less than 0.79.
Similarly to the B.M.I or I.M.C, the WHR is also an approximate indicator, since it does not take into account the relationship between the muscle mass present in the gluteal and abdominal regions.
Android obesity and health
For further information: Visceral fat
Android obesity is frequently associated with type II diabetes, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease and hyperuricaemia. All these conditions are often grouped under the term "multimetabolic syndrome" and represent a serious risk to the patient's health.
Experimental investigations have shown that visceral or internal adipocytes are more sensitive to the lipolytic ("slimming") activity of some hormones (catecholamines). Those suffering from android obesity are therefore more fortunate on the one hand, since visceral fat tends to be disposed of. faster than the subcutaneous one, and more unfortunate on the other, since an excessively high intake of fatty acids into the blood determines negative consequences for the whole organism.
When adipose and non-adipose molecules (adipocytes also release hormones and substances with a pro-inflammatory action) coming from the metabolism of visceral fat reach the liver, they "flood" it and alter its functioning. The modification of hepatic metabolism causes alterations of many blood values and facilitates the onset of hyperinsulinism / insulin resistance (type II diabetes) and cardiovascular diseases (hypertension, dyslipidemia, myocardial infarction).
At the origin of android obesity there are several constitutional (genetic, hormonal) and environmental (alcohol abuse) factors. Research has shown that even in people of normal weight and overweight there can be significant accumulations of fat around internal organs. Even apparently thin individuals can therefore be exposed to an increased risk for all the pathologies traditionally associated with android obesity.
Visceral fat can be lost with exercise
Physical activity has proved to be one of the most effective strategies for promoting the redistribution of body fat and the loss of localized intra-abdominal fat. adipose could be counterbalanced by muscle hypertrophy. Consequently the weight of the obese subject could remain constant.
Unlike visceral fat, subcutaneous fat, more abundant in gynoid obesity, offers greater resistance to the lipolytic effects of slimming therapies (pharmacological, dietary, behavioral, sports, etc.).
