Visceral fat linked to brain aging.
Deep belly fat impacts brain aging more than BMI.
Why it matters
- Visceral fat affects memory, reasoning, and processing speed.
- BMI is not a good indicator of brain health.
By the numbers
- 23,088 participants analyzed.
- DXA and MRI scans used for measurements.
The big picture
- Fat distribution, especially visceral fat, impacts brain health more than overall obesity.
- Study suggests moving beyond BMI for health predictions.
What they're saying
- Comments suggest using waist-to-hip ratio to track visceral fat.
- Caution against misinterpreting BMI's role in health.
Caveats
- Study is cross-sectional, not causal.
- More research needed to confirm long-term effects.
What’s next
- Longitudinal studies to see if reducing visceral fat improves brain health.