How Fat Tissue Genes Link to Belly Fat
Expression of genes related to glucocorticoid action in human subcutaneous and omental adipose tissue.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Only one gene matters for visceral obesity
Researchers examined four different glucocorticoid-related genes (11β-HSD1, 11β-HSD2, H6PDH, GRα), but only omental 11β-HSD1 showed an independent association with visceral fat after controlling for total body fat, age, and menopausal status. The other genes were not independently predictive.
Practical Takeaways
Stress management may be particularly important for reducing visceral fat
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Only one gene matters for visceral obesity
Researchers examined four different glucocorticoid-related genes (11β-HSD1, 11β-HSD2, H6PDH, GRα), but only omental 11β-HSD1 showed an independent association with visceral fat after controlling for total body fat, age, and menopausal status. The other genes were not independently predictive.
Practical Takeaways
Stress management may be particularly important for reducing visceral fat
Publication
Journal
The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology
Year
2010
Authors
A. Veilleux, P. Laberge, Jacques Morency, Suzanne Noël, V. Luu-The, A. Tchernof
Related Content
Claims (7)
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.
Doctors found that fat around the organs in women's bellies has more of certain proteins that handle stress hormones compared to the fat under the skin.
In women, higher levels of a specific enzyme (11β-HSD1) in fat tissue are linked to having more body fat, especially around the belly.
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.