Where You Carry Your Body Fat Is Directly Linked to Brain Aging in First-of-Its-Kind Study

Analyzing data from more than 18,000 UK Biobank participants, researchers found that where body fat is stored is linked to brain aging and cognitive decline risk.

Visceral fat around the organs showed the strongest association, including white matter damage that may be tied to inflammation and dementia risk.

The findings suggest fat distribution may be a better marker of brain health than BMI alone.

Researchers from Hong Kong Polytechnic University and PolyU say this points to a potentially modifiable risk factor for brain aging.