Where You Store Fat May Influence Brain Health
Where fat is stored in the body may matter more for brain health than overall weight or body-mass index (BMI). That’s the implication of a analysis by researchers at The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University in China, which used MRI data from nearly 26,000 UK Biobank participants to identify how different fat distribution patterns relate to brain structure and cognitive function.
The researchers uncovered two previously unrecognized fat distribution patterns with the strongest links to negative brain outcomes. The first, “pancreatic-predominant” fat, involves unusually high fat accumulation in the pancreas and was associated with gray matter loss, accelerated brain aging, cognitive decline, and higher neurological disease risk. Pancreatic fat levels in this group were two to three times higher than in other profiles and far higher than in lean individuals, even though liver fat wasn’t elevated.
The second pattern, called “skinny fat,” describes people who don’t appear severely obese by BMI standards but carry a high overall fat burden, particularly in the abdomen, along with a high fat-to-muscle ratio. Despite their relatively moderate BMI, individuals in this group showed similarly increased risks of brain aging and cognitive impairment. The findings suggest that fat distribution—especially pancreatic fat and hidden high body fat in “normal-weight” individuals—may be a critical but underrecognized factor in brain health.
Try this recipe today: Strawberry, Fennel & Arugula Salad
Sign up for more Dr. Weil newsletters!Â
