Being Thin Doesn’t Mean You’re Healthy

When it comes to health, many people assume being thin or having a low number on the scale automatically means they’re healthy. However, that’s not always the case. You can look slim on the outside but still carry dangerous fat around your organs. This condition is often called being “skinny fat,” and it frequently goes unnoticed because it won’t show up on the scale or in your mirror.

At DexaFit West Houston, Dr. Gregory Burzynski and team focus on getting the full picture of your body composition and overall health. With the advanced technology we use, including DEXA scans and metabolic testing, we help you see beyond the surface to what really matters: your internal health.

What is “Skinny Fat”?

“Skinny fat” describes a body composition condition where someone appears lean but has a high amount of visceral fat—the fat that surrounds internal organs like the liver, pancreas, and intestines. Unlike subcutaneous fat (fat under the skin), visceral fat is metabolically active and can interfere with normal body functions.

At DexaFit West Houston, Dr. Gregory Burzynski helps clients better understand these hidden health risks and develop personalized strategies to reduce visceral fat and improve long-term wellness.

Why Visceral Fat is Dangerous

Carrying excess visceral fat—even in people with normal or low body weight—can lead to:

• Hormone imbalances
  Visceral fat can disrupt hormone signaling, affecting everything from appetite regulation to stress hormones.

• Chronic inflammation
  This type of fat releases inflammatory chemicals that can damage tissues and increase the risk of many diseases.

• Insulin resistance
  Insulin resistance is a precursor to type 2 diabetes and occurs when your body’s cells don’t respond properly to insulin, leading to blood sugar imbalances.

• Increased risk of heart disease
  Visceral fat is linked to unhealthy cholesterol levels and high blood pressure, major contributors to cardiovascular disease.

Why Being Lean Doesn’t Always Mean Being Healthy

Many individuals who are slim don’t consider themselves at risk for these issues because their weight is in a healthy range. Dr. Gregory Burzynski works with clients to go beyond surface-level metrics and uncover hidden health risks that traditional tools often miss.

Traditional Tools Can Miss the Mark

• The Scale
  Your weight doesn’t distinguish between muscle, fat, and water. It also doesn’t differentiate between subcutaneous and visceral fat.

• The Mirror
  Appearance doesn’t reveal what’s happening inside your body. A trim waistline doesn’t guarantee a healthy level of visceral fat.

• BMI (Body Mass Index)
  BMI can be misleading because it’s based on height and weight, not actual body composition.

How DexaFit West Houston Can Help

Our state-of-the-art services give you precise insight into your health that simple measurements can’t provide. Using DEXA scans, resting metabolic rate (RMR) analysis, VO2 max testing, and biomarker assessments, we deliver a detailed and accurate picture of your body’s condition.

DEXA Scans: The Gold Standard for Body Composition

• Measures fat, muscle, and bone density
  The scan distinguishes between lean mass, fat mass, and bone mass throughout your body.

• Detects visceral fat specifically
  Our high-resolution DEXA scans pinpoint how much fat surrounds your organs, even if you look thin externally.

• Tracks changes over time
  If you make lifestyle changes, regular scans help monitor your progress with precision.

Steps to Address “Skinny Fat”

If you discover you have excess visceral fat, you’re not alone, and there are effective strategies to reduce it:

• Improve your diet
  Focus on whole foods, reduce sugar and processed foods, and include healthy fats and fiber.

• Incorporate strength training
  Building muscle helps boost metabolism and burns more fat.

• Increase aerobic exercise
  Activities like walking, cycling, or swimming improve cardiovascular health and reduce visceral fat.

• Manage stress
  Chronic stress raises cortisol, which promotes visceral fat accumulation.

• Prioritize sleep
  Poor sleep can disrupt hormones, increase stress, and contribute to visceral fat, so aim for 7–9 hours of quality rest each night.

These changes, combined with personalized testing and expert guidance from Dr. Gregory Burzynski and the team at DexaFit West Houston, can help you take control of your health and move toward long-term wellness.

Health Is More Than a Number

Being thin doesn’t always mean you’re in good health. At DexaFit West Houston, we help you look beyond the scale to uncover hidden risk factors like visceral fat. With advanced tools and expert insight from professionals like Dr. Gregory Burzynski, we provide the clarity you need to take control of your long-term health.

Don’t rely on appearances—know what’s really going on inside your body.