Scientists from Hong Kong analyzed data from more than 40,000 people using MRI, functional MRI and other instrumental methods and concluded that the distribution of fat tissue in the body affects the brain differently. While general obesity was correlated with a decrease in the thickness of the cortical layer in different parts of the brain, visceral fat - the fat that accumulates around the internal organs - is associated with additional changes in the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for memory, attention, planning and cognitive control.
The authors explain the biological mechanism through systemic inflammation: visceral fat secretes pro-inflammatory molecules that, passing through the liver, alter metabolism and contribute to insulin resistance. These processes increase the risk of hypertension, dementia and disruption of interneuronal connections. The researchers also noted a decrease in axonal density and structural changes in nervous tissue with increased levels of visceral fat.
A key finding of the study is that body mass index (BMI) does not provide a complete picture of neurocognitive risk. BMI reflects total body weight but does not show how fat is distributed. Therefore, people with the same BMI may have different risk profiles depending on whether their bodies are dominated by visceral fat.
Practical implications of the study: The focus of public health should shift from weight control alone to assessing fat distribution and metabolic status. Available methods (e.g., waist circumference, waist/hip ratio, and in some cases imaging) help identify visceral obesity and guide interventions. The authors recommend paying attention to metabolic risk markers—insulin resistance, elevated blood pressure, and markers of inflammation—and working with your doctor to reduce visceral fat specifically through dietary changes, physical activity, and, if necessary, medical therapy.
The study highlights that combating brain risks is not just about losing weight, but also about improving metabolic profile and reducing visceral fat. Further work should clarify which interventions are most effective in protecting the brain from the effects of visceral obesity.
