Belly Fat Is the Most Dangerous, but Losing It From Anywhere Helps

Total loss of fat mass, through a healthy diet and exercise, is the best outcome for overall health. Shutterstock

Excess storage of fat is linked to many different chronic diseases. But some areas of fat storage on the body are worse than others.

In general, women have greater absolute body fat percentages than men. Typically, women carry more fat around the legs, hip and buttocks, as well as the chest and upper arms. Women have more subcutaneous fat—the fat you can pinch under your skin—while men typically have more visceral fat, which is stored in and around the abdominal organs.