Android fat distribution

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" body or central obesity, and is more common in males than in females. Thus, the android fat distribution of men is about 48.6%, which is 10.3% higher than that of premenstrual women. In other cases, an ovoid shape forms which does not differentiate between men and women.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 as females age, bear children and approach menopause, this distribution shifts towards the android pattern of fat distribution resulting in a 42.1% increase in android body fat distribution in postmenstrual women. This is to help centre a woman's gravity making her more stable when carrying offspring.

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 has been linked to risk factors for cardiovascular disease, in both males and females. Android fat tends to be associated with cellulite, and lumpy appearance of the skin - usually undesired by women. This article will look at cosmetic implications of such subcutaneous fat such as liposuction.

Jean Vague, a physician from Marseilles, was one of the first individuals to bring to attention the increased risk of developing certain diseases in individuals with an android distribution compared to a gynoid distribution. For example, Diabetes and Gout. There are other health consequences beyond these, including psychological consequences.

Android fat is readily mobilized by deficits in energy balance. It is stored in different depots to gynoid fat.

Android fat cells are mostly visceral - they are large, deposited deep under the skin and are highly metabolically active. The hormones they secrete have direct access to your liver. The presence of fat in the trunk and upper body in males is facilitated by testosterone. Testosterone circulation causes fat cells to deposit around the abdominal and gluteofemoral region, whereas in women oestrogen circulation leads to fat deposits around areas such as thighs, breasts and buttocks. Therefore, measuring a person's oestrogen to testosterone ratio can reveal their predicted gynoid to android fat distribution. 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. 50% of the variance in abdominal fat mass observed in humans is due to genetic factors

...
Wikipedia