Donald Trump’s health is facing renewed scrutiny after new medical information showed a significant increase in the president’s weight.
Trump weighed 238 pounds in May, according to a Washington Post report published this week. The figure means he has put on nearly 25 pounds since his most recent campaign for the White House. Much of that increase appears to have happened recently: Trump gained 14 pounds between his two latest annual checkups.
Doctors who examined the information say the number on the scale is not necessarily the biggest concern. Instead, they are worried about what the additional weight could mean for Trump’s internal health.
Donald Trump’s weight
One of those doctors is David Kessler, who previously led the Food and Drug Administration. He focused on visceral fat, which develops around organs rather than directly underneath the skin.
“That visceral adiposity is fat around our liver, pancreas, our heart where it doesn’t belong,” Kessler said, according to VT, adding that it triggers concerns about ‘premature death’.
Scott Kahan, director of the National Center for Weight and Wellness, also warned that the issue should not be reduced to Trump’s appearance.
“Obesity is a strong risk factor for numerous health issues,” he said, “as well as premature disability and death.”
The type of fat doctors are watching
Visceral fat can be concerning because it is biologically active. It is associated with several major health problems, including heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, stroke and certain cancers.
