Fat distribution: its physiological significance, health implications, and its adaptation to exercise training

Recently, fat distribution has become of clinical interest in assessing one's risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). Investigations have shown stronger relationships between abdominal, or central adiposity, and various well known risk factors for CHD, than peripheral and/or total adiposity. The simple waist-to-hip ratio, shown to be a valid index of such fat distribution, should be considered for use by professionals in military medicine in assessing one's risk for relevant diseases. Consideration must also be made of the role of exercise as an intervention in improving one's fat distribution profile.