Visceral fat is a type of body fat that is stored deep within the abdominal cavity and surrounds important organs such as the liver, stomach, and intestines. It is different from subcutaneous fat, which is the fat that is stored just below the skin. Visceral fat is sometimes referred to as "active fat" because it plays an active role in how the body functions. While some levels of visceral fat are healthy and help protect organs, too much visceral fat can be dangerous for health and can lead to serious health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Visceral fat produces more toxic substances than subcutaneous fat, so it is more dangerous. It is more common in men than in women, and genetics, age, and environmental factors can all contribute to its accumulation. The only way to definitively diagnose visceral fat is with a CT or MRI scan, which are expensive and time-consuming procedures. Diet and exercise are the best ways to prevent the buildup of visceral fat, and with each pound lost, some visceral fat is also lost.