Visceral obesity: key risk factors and diagnostic aspects (review)

Objective; to discuss the current views on the risk factors and diagnostic methods of visceral obesity in the aspect of prevention of cardiovascular complications. The review is done using the PRISMA method. Mainly publications from five electronic databases (Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar and e-Library) from 1980 to 2021 were analyzed using the following keywords and their combinations: "visceral obesity", "risk factors", "diagnosis", "body mass index", "waist circumference", "ectopic adipose tissue", and "cardiovascular complications". In addition, the review includes selected archival publications of principal scientific significance. As a result, the review includes 37 most significant publications for the disclosure of the above-mentioned topic. The combined use of such parameters as body mass index, waist circumference and fasting triglyceride level has been shown to be reasonable in the diagnosis of visceral obesity. In addition, radiological and ultrasound techniques of visceral obesity assessment are being introduced into clinical practice.