Hidden Visceral Fat Links to Faster Heart Ageing in 21,000 UK Adults

Recent research analyzing data from over 21,000 UK Biobank participants reveals that the distribution of body fat, particularly visceral fat around internal organs, significantly influences the rate of cardiovascular aging, more so than overall body mass index (BMI). Visceral fat, which accumulates deep in the abdomen around organs such as the liver, stomach, and intestines, is linked to increased inflammation and accelerated aging of the heart and blood vessels, even in individuals who appear slim. The studies found sex differences in fat distribution effects: men with higher visceral fat and 'apple-shaped' body types tend to experience faster heart aging, while women with fat accumulation around the hips and thighs ('pear-shaped') show protective effects and slower heart aging. Higher estrogen levels in premenopausal women may also contribute to slower cardiovascular aging. Artificial intelligence techniques analyzing MRI scans were used to estimate a 'heart age' for each participant, highlighting the importance of fat location over total weight in predicting heart health risks. These findings emphasize that visceral fat is a critical factor in cardiovascular health and that body shape and fat distribution should be considered in risk assessments and prevention strategies.