Learn about the different types of body fat, how they affect health, and why DEXA Scan data is the most accurate way to measure and track them.
Most people think of body fat as one single thing, but your body stores several different types of fat, and each plays a very different role in your health. Some types of fat are protective and necessary. Others increase your risk of disease and impact your energy, hormones, and longevity.
At Kalos, our DEXA Scan technology gives clients clear insight into their fat distribution, including how much fat they carry and where it is stored. This is essential for understanding real health risks and tracking long term improvements.
Here is a clear explanation of the different types of fat in the body and why they matter.
There are four primary types of fat stored in the human body:
This is the fat located directly under your skin. It is the soft fat you can pinch on your stomach, thighs, or arms.
Key facts:
Subcutaneous fat is often what people want to reduce for aesthetic reasons.
Visceral fat surrounds your internal organs such as the liver, pancreas, and intestines.
It is the most dangerous type of fat for long term health.
High visceral fat is linked to:
Visceral fat is particularly important to track because it can be high even in people who appear slim.
A DEXA Scan is the most accurate way to measure it.
Essential fat is necessary for survival and is found in:
Women naturally carry more essential fat due to reproductive functions.
Too little essential fat leads to:
Essential fat should never be reduced below healthy ranges.
Brown fat is a metabolically active type of fat that helps regulate temperature and burn calories.
Key facts:
People with slightly higher levels of brown fat often have healthier metabolic profiles.
Your body stores fat based on:
Understanding the types of fat and how they behave helps you design a better strategy for improving body composition.
Subcutaneous fat changes how you look.
Visceral fat changes how you function.
High visceral fat increases the risk of chronic disease and shortens lifespan.
This is why identifying and reducing visceral fat early is one of the best decisions you can make for long term health.
A DEXA Scan gives you:
This is far more accurate than BMI or tape measures.
The most effective methods include:
Fat loss is not only about eating less. It is about improving how your body uses and stores energy.
Not all fat is equal. Subcutaneous fat affects appearance, essential fat supports health, brown fat boosts metabolism, and visceral fat reveals hidden risks that often go unnoticed until it is too late. Understanding the differences helps you take smarter steps to improve your health and longevity.
With DEXA Scan tracking at Kalos, you can measure each type of fat accurately and make data driven decisions to improve your body composition and overall health.
If you are ready to take control of your health with the most accurate body composition analysis available, it is time to book your DEXA scan at Kalos. Whether you are looking to get lean, build muscle, improve performance, or optimize longevity, our advanced technology and expert guidance will help you get there.
Schedule your scan today at Kalos, your journey to data-driven fitness starts now.
Bay Area residents trust KALKalosOS to deliver results. We proudly serve the entire Bay Area including the following locations:
