Journal September 25, 2026 5 min read

What is visceral fat?

Visceral fat is the adipose tissue stored around internal organs. This page summarises research on its measurement, its association with metabolic disease, and investigational compounds studied in laboratory and clinical

peptides-pro Editorial

Visceral fat, also called visceral adipose tissue (VAT) or intra-abdominal fat, is the adipose tissue stored within the abdominal cavity around internal organs such as the liver, pancreas and intestines. It is distinct from subcutaneous fat, which lies beneath the skin. In research settings, visceral fat is quantified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), often as visceral fat area or as pancreatic proton density fat fraction (PDFF), and by dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) or bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) in some protocols [1][3][4][7].

The work summarised here centres on adipose tissue dysfunction and its relationship to insulin resistance, with pathways including adipokine signalling (leptin, resistin, sclerostin, irisin) and gut-derived microbial metabolites [3][6][8][5].

Research Studies

Mazdutide and pancreatic fat fraction in overweight or obesity

A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, single-centre clinical trial is evaluating mazdutide for improving fatty pancreas in patients with overweight or obesity. The study plans to enrol 194 participants, randomised 1:1 to mazdutide plus standardised lifestyle intervention or placebo plus standardised lifestyle intervention, for 48 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint is change from baseline in pancreatic proton density fat fraction (PDFF) measured by MRI at week 48; secondary endpoints include changes in body composition [1].

Mazdutide and visceral fat in type 2 diabetes with NAFLD

A multicentre, prospective, randomised controlled investigator-initiated trial is evaluating switching to mazdutide in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and moderate-to-severe non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) who have achieved glycaemic control. The background notes that Chinese patients with T2DM are susceptible to visceral fat accumulation, which increases cardiometabolic risk, and that metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is highly prevalent in this population [2].

Resistin and visceral fat reduction after sleeve gastrectomy

A study is investigating whether serum resistin levels can predict the magnitude of visceral fat loss following sleeve gastrectomy in patients with morbid obesity. The protocol describes visceral fat as fat stored around internal organs, closely linked to inflammation and type 2 diabetes, and notes that resistin is a marker contributing to insulin resistance that is typically higher in individuals with significant abdominal fat [6].

Barley green and visceral fat area in high body fat percentage

A randomised study at Peking University People's Hospital investigated changes in visceral fat area and associated indicators in individuals with high body fat percentage receiving barley green supplementation combined with a calorie-restricted diet, compared with a control group. The study also explored mechanisms via gut microbiota analysis [7].

Ethnic differences in adipose tissue dysfunction and type 2 diabetes

A pilot study is investigating the relationship between type 2 diabetes and adipose tissue dysfunction across ethnic groups. Adipose tissue dysfunction is characterised by abnormal fat distribution, including increased visceral, hepatic and pancreatic fat, elevated inflammatory biomarkers and impaired metabolic function. The background notes that in the UK, type 2 diabetes prevalence is significantly higher among South Asian and Black African/Caribbean populations than among White Europeans, and that differences in visceral fat accumulation are thought to contribute [8].

Sclerostin, irisin and leptin in Chinese men with obesity

A cross-sectional study included 26 men with normal weight and 78 men with obesity. Body composition was measured using DXA; subcutaneous fat, visceral fat and fat content in the liver and pancreas were determined by MRI; and serum sclerostin, irisin and leptin were detected using ELISA. Compared with men with normal weight, serum sclerostin, irisin and leptin levels as well as whole-body and spinal bone mineral density differed [3].

Urolithin A and muscle preservation during weight loss in obesity

A study is testing whether daily Urolithin A (500 mg) for 6 months helps adults with obesity lose weight while preserving functional muscle mass and improving markers of mitochondrial health, inflammation and metabolism. All participants receive the same structured lifestyle programme (nutrition and sleep guidance); half receive Urolithin A and half a matching placebo. The background notes that weight loss can reduce skeletal muscle, especially in people with obesity, and that Urolithin A is a gut-derived, diet-related compound [5].

BMI versus body fat percentage as predictors of IVF outcomes

A prospective observational cohort study is evaluating whether body composition measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), including body fat percentage and visceral fat, serves as a better predictor than body mass index (BMI) of outcomes of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycles. Participants undergoing IVF have body composition assessed using a BIA scale prior to treatment. Outcomes of interest include ovarian stimulation requirements, number of mature oocytes retrieved, number of oocytes fertilised, and others [4].

Reference-only findings

Additional studies report on circulating adipokines and receptor expression in epithelial ovarian carcinoma [9]; a bitter hop nutraceutical and fat mass loss with muscle preservation in individuals with overweight or obesity receiving diet and exercise advice [10]; differing presentations of excess visceral abdominal fat in people living with HIV, with therapeutic pathways involving tesamorelin and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists [11]; and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation-associated partial lipodystrophy in childhood cancer survivors treated with total body irradiation [12]. These are noted for context and are not the focus of this page.

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