Belly Fat Can Cause Osteoporosis, Important New Study Finds

In announcing study results that they described as “shocking,” Harvard researchers today shared information that defies the notion that body fat helps protect against osteoporosis. The U.S. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) estimates that 10 million Americans have osteoporosis, and another 34 million are at a higher risk to develop the condition due to low bone mass.

The study incorporated 50 women with a wide range of body mass indexes (BMIs). The average BMI was about 30, which is the minimal reading for obesity. The women in the study underwent two types of testing:  a computed tomography (CT) scan, to measure bone loss, as well as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) spectroscopy to evaluate the amount of fat in their bone marrow.

One important finding was that visceral fat was found to reduce bone-mineral density in obese women, while subcutaneous fat did not do so. Visceral fat is located between organs in the abdominal cavity, and it is often referred to as belly fat. Subcutaneous fat is found under the skin in other places in the body, such as the arms or face, etc.

The scans were performed on the women’s lumbar section of the spine, an area of the lower back that provides consistent readings. Researchers also measured the women’s amount of belly fat.
The study results showed that the more visceral fat the women had, the lower their bone-mineral density was. Also, more visceral fat leads to more fat in bone marrow, which the researchers said leads to weaker bones and perhaps osteoporosis.

The researchers stated that more research needs to be done in order to find out what exactly causes visceral fat to weaken bones. They theorized that visceral fat may secrete certain hormones or other substances that harm bones. Doctors agree that people should eat a healthy diet and exercise in order to avoid the chances of experiencing bone fractures later in life.

Plenty of research exists that shows visceral fat is worse for your body than subcutaneous fat. Earlier research also indicates that eating too little can lead to weak bones and osteoporosis, so people need to maintain a happy medium with their diets.

The researchers concluded that the study brings more bad news to those who obese, which includes about 1 in 3 Americans. Another 1 in 3 Americans are considered overweight. Previous studies have linked obesity with an increased risk of acquiring Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

The researchers said they are also conducting a study to see if the above results hold true for men. The study has not been published in a peer-reviewed journal as of yet, but it was presented today at the Radiological Society of North America in Chicago.