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There are an estimated 97 million adults in the US that are overweight or obese (NHLBI). The battle of the bulge is a unique challenge for both sexes looking to achieve weight management goals. Perhaps, an increased understanding of the etiology of the different sources of fat may help guide the dieter to achieving a successful end result.

According to the National Heart Lung Blood Institute's Obesity Education Initiative, body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat on height and weight in both adult men and women (NHLBI). It is important to note that these measures are suited for adults only and not applicable to children. The aim of BMI has always been to assess weight against respective height standards established by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Furthermore, clinical evidence suggests that a weight loss of 5-10% of initial weight will lower the risk of disease (DHHS). As a result, physicians and other health care providers utilize the results of this tool as a baseline to guide effective weight management. In addition, clinical guidelines also assess relative risk and weight circumference. Understanding these outputs, allows the health care provider to suggest a treatment plan to the dieter.

What is interesting about the process of weight management; there appears to be a scarcity of information on the differences between subcutaneous fat and visceral fat-and the tenuous relationship with the dieter's goals. The aim of the article is to shed more light on both types of fat and perhaps, justify why it is important for the dieter to have a basic understanding of these two types of fat, as the dieter progresses on the path to weight loss.

Subcutaneous fat is found beneath the epidermis (outermost layer of skin) and is the protective wrap over the body's surface. The body surface is made up of stratified squamous epithelium with an underlying basal lamina. Subcutaneous fat can be measured using body fat calipers, which provide a rough estimate of total body adiposity. There is much discussion on the effectiveness of body fat calipers. The tool is considered to be the most popular tool to assess body fat.

Adipose tissue is loose connective tissue. In humans, obesity does not depend on t body weight, but the amount of body fat-specifically adipose tissue (Kershaw, 2004). In this light, where is adipose tissue distributed the most? Are there distinctions between men and women and adipose accumulation? There are gender differences in adipose

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