Subcutaneous fat is the fat you might “pinch.”
Factors like genetics, diet, and exercise can affect the amount of subcutaneous fat you carry.
Reducing the amount of subcutaneous fat may require changes in lifestyle, diet, and exercise.
Illustration by Zoe Hansen for Verywell Health
Subcutaneous fat provides the following benefits:
Subcutaneous fat is located under your skin.
The differences between these two are often misunderstood.
It is also located in youromentum.
This apron-like flap of tissue is under your abdominal muscles and blankets your intestines.
The omentum hardens and thickens as it fills with fat.
Women typically have more subcutaneous fat than men.
As a result, sex differences in body fat distribution can become less apparent with age.
This involves a combination of a fat-burning diet and regular exercise.
Since subcutaneous fat stores energy, you must burn calories to lose it.
Subcutaneous fat can be hard to lose because of the functions it serves in your body.
In addition, your body typically burns excess visceral fat before it attacks excess subcutaneous fat.
Subcutaneous fat stores energy and protects your body from extreme temperatures, trauma injuries, and eating too much.
However, too much puts you at risk for serious diseases.
Losing subcutaneous fat can be a slow process.
It involves making combined changes to your diet and physical activity routines.
Consult your healthcare provider to ensure that you are making changes to help you achieve your goals safely.
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