Subcutaneous fat
Definition:
Subcutaneous fat is a type of fat that sits just beneath the skin. It’s the deepest layer of your skin, and it plays a number of important roles in keeping your body healthy (such as insulation, protection, and energy storage).[1]
The amount of subcutaneous fat you have tends to depend on your genes, sex and weight. Women, for example, tend to have more fat than men, particularly in their hips and thighs.[2]
While too much body fat can be unhealthy, subcutaneous fat is generally considered to be less harmful than visceral fat — the fat that surrounds your organs.[1]
Treated trusted sources:
- Mittal, B. (2019). Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue & Visceral Adipose Tissue. Indian Journal of Medical Research,
- Karastergiou, K., Smith, S.R., Greenberg, A.S. and Fried, S.K. (2012). Sex differences in human adipose tissues – the biology of pear shape. Biology of Sex Differences
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