How body fat affects your metabolic health and risk of metabolic disease | Dr Robert Eckel

2026-02-02

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I’m joined by Dr Robert Eckel to unpack why obesity is far more complex than a BMI number and why insulin resistance plays such a central role in cardiometabolic disease. We discuss preclinical versus clinical obesity, fat distribution, metabolic risk, and what actually improves health outcomes beyond weight loss alone. What We Cover Why BMI is only a starting point Preclinical versus clinical obesity explained Why visceral fat matters more than total fat How insulin resistance develops with exc...

I’m joined by Dr Robert Eckel to unpack why obesity is far more complex than a BMI number and why insulin resistance plays such a central role in cardiometabolic disease.

We discuss preclinical versus clinical obesity, fat distribution, metabolic risk, and what actually improves health outcomes beyond weight loss alone.

What We Cover

Why BMI is only a starting point
Preclinical versus clinical obesity explained
Why visceral fat matters more than total fat
How insulin resistance develops with excess body fat
Who may benefit most from weight loss interventions
GLP-1 therapies, benefits and open questions

A practical, evidence-based conversation that reframes how we think about obesity, risk and long term health.

Introduction (00:00)
Clinical vs Preclinical Obesity: How Should Obesity Be Defined? (05:21)
Why Is Obesity Difficult to Diagnose and Treat in Practice? (08:06)
How Genetics and Environment Influence Body Fat Gain (20:27)
What Is Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Syndrome? (32:23)
How Insulin Sensitivity Relates to Clinical Obesity (55:26)
Why Insulin Resistance Begins in Adipose Tissue (59:49)
Physiological vs Pathological Insulin Resistance Explained (01:04:47)
How Physical Activity Improves Insulin Sensitivity (01:10:46)
Family History, Genetics, and Cardiometabolic Risk (01:12:30)
Individualised Obesity Treatment Guidelines in Clinical Care (01:15:40)
How GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Are Used in Obesity Management (01:16:12)
What Is the Obesity Paradox in Cardiometabolic Disease? (01:22:01)
Future Projections for Obesity and Cardiometabolic Health (01:30:07)
Public Health Challenges in Preventing Excess Adiposity (01:40:23)
Practical Clinical Takeaways and Final Thoughts (01:44:15)

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Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons)