Double heartache: Does belly fat affect the brain?

Review expert: Yin Tielun, deputy chief physician of the Department of Neurology, Airport Branch, Peking University Third Hospital

When I saw this title, I touched my belly first.

I have to say that this article really makes those friends with a lot of fat in their belly feel offended, and most people would think that this must be nonsense with no scientific basis.

Source: pexels

But unfortunately, this statement is not only not without reason, but many studies have also shown that abdominal obesity is positively correlated with brain cognitive ability.

What studies show the relationship between abdominal obesity and the brain?

In January 2022, researchers published important research results in JAMA Network Open, a subsidiary of the Journal of the American Medical Association, pointing out that after correcting for confounding factors such as cardiovascular risk factors, education level, and cerebrovascular damage, body fat content (especially visceral fat content) is still significantly positively correlated with cognitive impairment.

Source: Screenshot of the paper

The study lasted for 8 years and included a total of 9,189 subjects from Canada. After excluding patients with a clinical diagnosis of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease history (including stroke, coronary artery sclerosis, heart failure and other heart diseases), the subjects were analyzed for body fat content and visceral fat volume was assessed through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to obtain accurate fat distribution and content data. In terms of cognitive function, the researchers conducted a comprehensive assessment of the subjects through the Digital Symbol Substitution Test and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale.

The study found that for every 9.2% increase in body fat or 36 ml of visceral fat, the corresponding cognitive function accelerated aging by one year.

At the same time, research also suggests that fat loss is important for maintaining cognitive function.

In April 2023, a study published in The Lancet's subsidiary journal "The Lancet Regional Health-Western Pacific" also revealed similar results: the bigger the belly, the dumber the brain!

Source: Screenshot of the paper

The study focused on nearly 10,000 Asian people and showed that there is a causal relationship between increased visceral fat and BMI and decreased cognitive ability.

The researchers collected 8,769 participants from the Health Life Singapore Cohort (HELIOS) and recorded their metabolic indicators and cognitive data.

In this study, BMI>27.5kg/m^2 was defined as obesity . Statistical results showed that 23.3% of all participants suffered from obesity, and another 12% had a BMI of more than 30kg/m^2. After excluding various conditions, it was ensured that body fat content was one of the independent predictors of cognitive function in the Asian population finally tested. MR analysis showed that there was a causal relationship between increased visceral fat and BMI and decreased cognitive performance.

Specifically, the research results show that for every 0.27kg increase in visceral fat, cognitive ability will decline, which is equivalent to a decline in cognitive age of 0.7 years.

Therefore, losing weight has a new great benefit - it can delay brain aging and prevent Alzheimer's disease!

Why does visceral fat affect cognitive ability?

Studies have shown that the possible mechanism by which visceral fat affects cognitive ability is that visceral fat tissue, as an endocrine organ, releases a variety of inflammatory mediators, which can cross the blood-brain barrier, interfere with the normal function of neurons, and affect memory and learning ability. In addition, obesity is also closely related to metabolic disorders , such as insulin resistance and abnormal fat hormones. The combined effect of these abnormalities may have a negative impact on the structure and function of the brain, leading to decreased cognitive ability.

Visceral fat mainly exists in the abdominal cavity, such as around and inside organs such as the liver, pancreas, stomach, and intestines. Its obvious manifestation is abdominal obesity.

Source: pexels

Before we identify ourselves, we must first understand what constitutes abdominal obesity.

Almost everyone will have some fat accumulated in the abdomen when sitting. Is this abdominal obesity?

According to the characteristics of fat distribution in the body, obesity can be divided into peripheral obesity and abdominal obesity .

Peripheral obesity is more visually intuitive and you can tell at a glance that the person is fat, while abdominal obesity is relatively not obvious.

Some people think that they are not overweight and their limbs do not look fat, so they are definitely not obese. However, they should pay special attention to this because it may be abdominal obesity.

Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR = Waist (cm) / Hip (cm)) can be used to intuitively determine whether you have abdominal obesity. Asian men with WHR ≥ 85cm and women with WHR ≥ 80cm are considered abdominal obesity. Therefore , even if you are of normal weight, you may still have abdominal obesity because of a large waist-to-hip ratio.

What other dangers does abdominal obesity have?

Studies have shown that abdominal obesity with excessive visceral fat, in addition to affecting cognitive ability, may also lead to lumbar disease, vascular atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, increase the burden on the heart, cause myocardial infarction and stroke, and even increase the risk of cancer. In addition, the psychological problems caused by abdominal obesity should not be ignored.

Source: pexels

Obese people are often more sensitive about their body esteem. Ridicule and criticism cause them to doubt themselves because of their body shape in life and work, causing them to have physical anxiety and fear of socializing. More serious individuals may become depressed and suffer from serious psychological and mental illnesses.

Therefore, abdominal obesity will not only cause cognitive impairment and chronic metabolic diseases, but may even lead to psychological problems. These are enough for us to pay great attention to it. It is very necessary to avoid abdominal obesity or lose abdominal fat.

Source: pexels

We all know that a proper diet and moderate exercise can prevent the accumulation of abdominal fat. For excessive accumulation of abdominal visceral fat, high-intensity exercise has a more targeted effect.

Studies have shown that abdominal fat is more sensitive to the effects of exercise intensity, which means that high-intensity exercise is more effective in stimulating abdominal fat. Therefore, high-intensity exercise (such as swimming, skipping, high-intensity interval training, or HIIT, etc.) is more recommended than medium- and low-intensity exercise (such as brisk walking, jogging, etc.).

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