Reduction of visceral fat and improvement of metabolic and respiratory complications in severe obesity

A modest weight loss of 5–10% of body weight improved the metabolic profile in overweight and simple obesity. Recent clinical data showed that a moderate weight loss of about 15–20% of baseline body weight was associated with improved respiratory function and metabolic profile in patients with severe obesity. We suggested that a preferential visceral fat mobilisation could at least in part explain these observations and that the association between visceral fat loss and metabolic improvements could be mediated by a reduction in liver fat infiltration. Reduction of visceral fat accumulation should be a major goal of any treatment of obesity. © 2003, Elsevier B.V.