Scientists found that the activity of a specific gene (11β-HSD1) in belly fat can help predict how much belly fat a woman has, even after accounting for her total body fat, age, and whether she's gone through menopause.

In men, having more of a certain gene (11β-HSD-1) active in their belly fat is linked to carrying more overall body fat, more fat around the organs, and worse blood sugar control—but it’s not just about belly fat, it’s tied to fat everywhere.

In women, higher levels of a specific enzyme (11β-HSD1) in fat tissue are linked to having more body fat, especially around the belly.

In women, a higher amount of a specific enzyme called H6PDH in the fat around the organs is linked to having less body fat overall.

Researchers looked at several genes related to stress hormones in fat tissue from women's bellies. They found that only one specific gene (11β-HSD1) in the omental fat was linked to belly fat obesity in women, even after accounting for other factors that might affect the results.

In women who have fat stored around their internal organs (visceral obesity), the fat tissue produces more of a specific enzyme and hormone related to stress compared to women without this type of fat buildup.