Fat cells before they fully form have special receptors that can detect stress hormones like cortisol, and these receptors work about the same way as they do in other parts of your body — meaning they’re ready to respond when needed.

26

Pro

0

Against

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

26

Community contributions welcome

26

Glucocorticoid receptors in human preadipocytes: regional and gender differences.

Cross-Sectional Study

Human

2000 Jul

The study found that fat precursor cells in both men and women have glucocorticoid receptors that work like those in other human cells, just like the claim says — even though the number of receptors varies a bit between fat areas and genders.

Contradicting (0)

0

Community contributions welcome

No contradicting evidence found

Gold Standard Evidence Needed

According to GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this specific claim, ordered from strongest to weakest evidence.

Source Study

Glucocorticoid receptors in human preadipocytes: regional and gender differences.

Score: 26

DOI: 10.1677/JOE.0.1660145

Similar Assertions

Women’s belly fat cells have fewer receptors for stress hormones than men’s, which might mean their fat tissue responds differently to stress.

26

0

85%

In women, the fat cells around the belly have fewer receptors for stress hormones than the fat cells under the skin, which might explain why belly fat builds up differently than other kinds of fat.

26

0

84%

The fat around your organs has four times more receptors that respond to stress hormones than the fat under your skin — which might explain why belly fat is harder to lose when you're stressed.

27

26

75%

A specific protein called glucocorticoid receptor helps the stress hormone cortisol control how fat is stored and broken down in body fat. This receptor is more abundant in the deep belly fat than in the fat under the skin.

1

0

70%