Metabolic health is more than a number on the scale

When people talk about a healthy weight, most people think of BMI - body mass index.This simple calculation has been used for decades as a guide to assess whether body weight is appropriate for height.

However, modern medicine is increasingly pointing out that BMI cannot accurately estimate metabolic riskThis is because it does not take into account one of the most important factors where fat is stored in the body.

It is the fat stored in the abdominal area that can significantly affect metabolic health. That is why more and more attention is being paid to a simple indicator called the Waist-to-Height Ratio (WtHR).

Belly fat: metabolically active tissue

Abdominal fat is not just an aesthetic problem. The fat stored in the abdominal area, called visceral fat, is located close to the internal organs and is metabolically very active.

It produces various biologically active substances, for example:

• inflammatory cytokines
• hormones affecting insulin sensitivity
• free fatty acids

These mechanisms can gradually contribute to the development of several metabolic disorders, for example:

• insulin resistance
• elevated triglyceride levels
• chronic inflammation
• metabolic syndrome
• increased cardiovascular risk

That’s why experts are increasingly monitoring waist circumference as an indicator of metabolic health..

Why WtHR may be more accurate than BMI

Waist-to-Height Ratio (WtHR) represents the ratio of waist circumference to height and is calculated by dividing waist circumference by height.

For example, if a person is 170 cm tall and has a waist circumference of 85 cm, their WtHR is 85 ÷ 170 = 0.5. This indicator helps estimate whether the amount of abdominal fat relative to body size is still within a healthy range.

The Waist-to-Height Ratio (WtHR) helps quickly estimate whether the amount of abdominal fat relative to body size is still within a safe range. It is a simple way to better understand the risk of metabolic disease.

Just remember one rule: your waist circumference should be less than half your height. If the waist circumference is greater than half the height, it may indicate an increased metabolic risk.

Research shows that this indicator can reliably identify an increased risk of:

• type 2 diabetes
• cardiovascular disease
• metabolic syndrome

Why WtHR may be more accurate than BMI

BMI is based on weight and height only. It does not take into account: the amount of muscle mass the distribution of body fat visceral fat

Therefore, BMI can sometimes give a distorted picture. For example, an athlete with a high proportion of muscle mass may be classified as overweight according to the BMI, even if they are metabolically healthy. Conversely, a person with a normal BMI may have an increased amount of visceral fat. The WtHR partly addresses this problem because it takes into account the abdominal area, which is the most metabolically important.

Metabolic health is more than a number on the scale

Metabolic health doesn't just mean being at a low weight. It is about the body's ability to manage energy efficiently.

It is influenced by several factors, for example:

• stability of glucose levels
• the sensitivity of cells to insulin
• physical activity
• quality of diet
• sleep
• hormonal balance

Therefore, the goal is not only weight loss, but especially the restoration of the metabolic balance of the body.

How to reduce visceral fat and achieve metabolic balance

The good news is that visceral fat is one of the types of fat that the body can mobilise quite well if metabolic balance is improved.

This is not about drastic diets or rapid weight loss. Much more important is the long-term stabilisation of metabolism..

A stable metabolism means that the body can:

• maintain stable glucose levels
• Use energy efficiently
• not store excess fat in the abdominal area

This is why the focus is increasingly shifting from simply assessing weight to a broader view of the body's metabolic health..

Various bioactive substances that may help regulate glucose and fat metabolism or satiety are now being investigated to promote metabolic stability. It is these mechanisms that are the focus of Skeeneffect ® Natural Metabolic Healtha product that combines natural bioactives to support metabolic balance and energy metabolism stability. long-term stabilisation of metabolic processes in the body, which are the basis of overall health.

Even small lifestyle changes like more exercise, better diet and a more stable metabolism can gradually contribute to improved metabolic health and reduced risk of chronic disease.