Diabetes and cardiovascular disease have emerged as major threats to human health, and
the risk of developing these chronic conditions is increased in individuals with abdominal
obesity and the metabolic syndrome. Excess visceral abdominal tissue (VAT) accumulation
appears to be a key feature of abdominal obesity contributing to the development of the
metabolic syndrome. For instance, excess VAT is accompanied by elevated triglycerides,
reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, and/or …