Professor Khan said it was possible that subcutaneous fat offset the effects of visceral fat.

BBC: Type of body fat 'boosts health'

Today's procedure is a skin biopsy that will be used to study the genetic markers in their subcutaneous fat.

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At the same time, the recipient would have to have their face, facial muscles, skin and subcutaneous fat removed.

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Called subcutaneous fat, the masses of this fat may be unsightly, but scientists believe they're not as dangerous as internal abdominal fat.

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Previous research has suggested that obese people with high levels of both abdominal and subcutaneous fat are more insulin-sensitive than those with only high levels of abdominal fat.

BBC: Type of body fat 'boosts health'

An autopsy found "extensive contusions of his chest, arms, shoulder and back, " and "evidence of crushing of areas of subcutaneous fat, " the medical examiner reported, ruling the death a homicide.

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He said it was still important that people tried to control their weight, as healthy lifestyle choices like a balanced diet and taking exercise would overwhelmingly impact on visceral, and not subcutaneous fat levels.

BBC: Type of body fat 'boosts health'

The autopsy conducted after his death found "extensive contusions of his chest, arms, shoulder and back, " as well as "evidence of crushing of areas of subcutaneous fat" -- which is the fatty tissue directly under a person's skin.

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In the end, all of the mice exposed to air pollution, including those fed a normal diet, had increased abdominal and subcutaneous (under the skin) fat.

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