Lifestyle linked to physique fats composition

A wholesome way of life not solely impacts the quantity of adipose tissue within the physique, but in addition its distribution. A cross-sectional evaluation of knowledge collected from greater than 18,000 individuals within the German NAKO well being research strengthens the proof for this hyperlink. The researchers measured physique fats distribution utilizing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An worldwide group led by Professor Tobias Pischon, head of the Molecular Epidemiology Lab on the Max Delbrück Center and member of the board of NAKO e.V., additionally additional developed the Lifestyle Risk Factor Index (LSRI). 

The index takes under consideration 4 health-related behaviors: not smoking, at the least 150 minutes of bodily exercise per week, no or average alcohol consumption (lower than one drink/day for girls, lower than two for males) and adherence to at the least three of seven dietary suggestions. Participants had been awarded zero to 4 factors relying on how properly they met these standards, with increased scores reflecting a more healthy way of life. 

A life-style index

Among the 18,508 individuals with a median age of 48, the LSRI scores had been distributed as follows: 7 % scored 0 or 1 level, 24 % scored 2 factors, 51 % scored 3 factors, and 18 % scored the complete 4 factors. The outcomes had been printed in “Obesity.”

The evaluations confirmed that people with the best LSRI had considerably decrease quantities of visceral fats than people with a low LSRI (2.26 liters vs. 2.99 liters). This correlation remained even after taking age, gender and physique mass index (BMI) under consideration, albeit to a lesser extent. The affiliation between way of life and visceral fats was extra pronounced in people with regular or barely elevated BMI than in individuals with weight problems. This means that in people with increased physique weight, the affect of BMI on fats distribution is stronger than that of particular person way of life elements. 

Understanding physique fats distribution higher

Visceral fats, which accumulates across the inside organs, is taken into account significantly dangerous for cardiovascular and metabolic illnesses. “Our findings show that a healthy lifestyle affects not only the amount of body fat, but also its distribution,” emphasizes Professor Getraud Maskarinec from the University of Hawaii Cancer Center and lead creator of the research whose work as a visiting professor on the Max Delbrück Centre in Berlin was supported by the Charité Foundation. “Physical activity in particular showed the strongest correlation with lower visceral fat levels, followed by diet and moderate alcohol consumption.” 

“NAKO offers unique opportunities to investigate the links between lifestyle, body composition and disease risks. Thanks to standardized MRI measurements taken on over 30,000 participants in Germany, it is possible to make precise statements about fat distribution,” says Tobias Pischon, senior creator of the publication.

However, as the present analysis is a cross-sectional evaluation, no conclusions will be drawn about causality. Future research will look at whether or not focused way of life modifications – significantly via train – can scale back visceral fats in the long run.

 

Further data

Literature

Gertraud Maskarinec et al. (2025): “Association of a Lifestyle Risk Index With Visceral and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue in the German National Cohort (NAKO).” In: Obesity, DOI: 10.1002/oby.70071