Why do some people store fat around their belly?
Intra‐adipose sex steroid metabolism and body fat distribution in idiopathic human obesity
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Aromatase was linked to overall obesity (BMI) but NOT central obesity — while AKR1C2 and AKR1C3 were linked to belly fat but not overall fat.
People assume estrogen causes belly fat — but here, estrogen-related aromatase is tied to total fat, not waist size, while androgen-metabolizing genes are tied to belly fat instead.
Practical Takeaways
Don’t blame yourself if you store fat in your belly — your fat tissue’s gene activity may be a biological factor beyond diet and exercise.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Aromatase was linked to overall obesity (BMI) but NOT central obesity — while AKR1C2 and AKR1C3 were linked to belly fat but not overall fat.
People assume estrogen causes belly fat — but here, estrogen-related aromatase is tied to total fat, not waist size, while androgen-metabolizing genes are tied to belly fat instead.
Practical Takeaways
Don’t blame yourself if you store fat in your belly — your fat tissue’s gene activity may be a biological factor beyond diet and exercise.
Publication
Journal
Clinical Endocrinology
Year
2007
Authors
D. Wake, Magnus Strand, E. Rask, J. Westerbacka, D. Livingstone, S. Soderberg, R. Andrew, H. Yki-Jărvinen, T. Olsson, B. Walker
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Claims (3)
In people with obesity, the levels of receptors and enzymes for male and female hormones in fat tissue don’t seem to be linked to how much fat they have or where it’s stored.
In people with obesity, fat tissue that makes more estrogen seems to be linked to having more total body fat.
In people with obesity, fat tissue that processes male hormones differently seems to be linked to having more fat around the waist.