Study Links Belly Fat to Chronic Pain

A pioneering study has linked excess belly fat to chronic pain, but the positive news is that weight loss may reduce waist size and help alleviate widespread musculoskeletal issues.

Researchers from the University of Tasmania, the University of Western Australia, and Monash University analyzed UK Biobank data from 32,409 individuals who had undergone MRI scans of their abdominal regions to measure fat deposits—both visceral fat around organs and subcutaneous fat beneath the skin.

At the time of the scans, these participants were also surveyed about chronic pain in areas such as the back, neck, shoulders, hips, knees, or across the entire body that had persisted for at least three months.

Abdominal Fat Linked to Chronic Pain

From this group, 638 patients had their MRI and pain assessments re-evaluated two years later. The study found a link between both types of abdominal fat—visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT)—and the prevalence of chronic pain. Researchers used a ratio combining VAT, SAT, and pain (VAT:SAT ratio) to assess this relationship.

Women, who made up 51% of the participants, experienced more widespread chronic pain with higher abdominal fat levels, showing double the pain sites when VAT was elevated and 60% more chronic pain with increased SAT and VAT:SAT ratio. For men, increased chronic pain was associated with 34% (VAT), 39% (SAT), and 13% (VAT:SAT ratio).

“Abdominal fat was linked to chronic musculoskeletal pain, indicating that excessive and ectopic fat deposits may play a role in the development of multisite and widespread chronic pain,” the researchers explained. They also noted that the stronger effects seen in women may be due to differences in fat distribution and hormone levels between sexes.

Study Highlights Need for Larger Research on Abdominal Fat, Chronic Pain, and Sex-Specific Links

Although this was an observational study with a relatively small sample size (average age of 55), the findings highlight the need for larger, long-term studies to explore the connection between abdominal fat and chronic pain. This study is the first to tie the condition to waist size rather than overall weight or obesity. The higher rates of pain in women with VAT and SAT deposits, potentially related to hormones and fat distribution, suggest a sex-specific link worth further investigation.

Previously, excess abdominal fat has been associated with various health problems, including a higher risk of dementia (especially in men), diabetes, and early death.

The positive takeaway from this study, according to the researchers, is that reducing your waistline could help relieve various chronic pain issues, potentially eliminating the need for medication to address specific pain areas.

“Excess abdominal fat, including both visceral and subcutaneous tissue, is linked to the development of chronic pain,” they explained. “As a result, targeting abdominal fat reduction could be an effective strategy for managing chronic pain, especially for those experiencing widespread or multisite pain.”

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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