All articles tagged with #visceral fat
Recent beach photos of Leonardo DiCaprio in Hawaii have ignited a dual debate: medical experts warn that the 'dad bod' physique indicates visceral fat linked to heart disease, while cultural commentators argue that mocking men's bodies is a form of fatphobia that ignores the double standards applied to women.
Recent beach photos of Leonardo DiCaprio in Hawaii have sparked a new wave of discussion regarding the health implications of a 'dad bod.' While the term describes a softer physique, experts warn that excess abdominal fat, particularly visceral fat, poses significant risks for heart disease and diabetes. Fitness professionals emphasize that reversing this condition requires a combination of nutritional adjustments and full-body strength training rather than isolated ab exercises.
Medical professionals offer differing advice on reducing visceral fat. Dr. Michael Aziz emphasizes dietary adjustments, while Dr. Priyam Bordoloi prioritizes strength training and adequate protein intake to improve body composition.
An experimental injection called CBL-514 has shown promising results in early human trials for reducing visceral fat, the dangerous fat surrounding internal organs. Unlike existing weight-loss drugs that suppress appetite, CBL-514 triggers apoptosis, a process where fat cells self-destruct. Phase 2 trials reported a 12% reduction in visceral fat volume within four weeks of treatment, with effects persisting after the injections ended. The drug, developed by Caliway Biopharmaceuticals, is now entering Phase 3 trials to test its safety and efficacy in larger populations.
CBL-514, a new injectable weight-loss drug, has entered Phase 3 clinical trials after Phase 2 results demonstrated significant reductions in visceral and subcutaneous fat. Unlike GLP-1 agonists that suppress appetite, CBL-514 induces apoptosis in fat cells, potentially offering a more permanent solution to weight regain. Early data shows a 12% drop in visceral fat within four weeks, with effects persisting after treatment cessation.
CBL-514, a first-in-class injectable that induces fat cell death, has advanced to Phase 3 trials after Phase 2 data demonstrated significant reductions in visceral and subcutaneous fat. Unlike GLP-1 drugs that suppress appetite, CBL-514 acts locally to destroy adipocytes, potentially preventing weight regain. Presented at the EASD 2026 meeting, the drug showed a 12% drop in visceral fat at week 4, with sustained effects at week 12, and is being developed by Caliway Biopharmaceuticals.
A Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center study tracked over 1,000 adults for five years and found that every 10-gram daily increase in soluble fiber intake was linked to a 3.7% reduction in visceral (belly) fat, which is more closely tied to diabetes and heart disease than fat under the skin. Foods like black beans, pears, oats, and other legumes and fruits/vegetables can help reach about 10 grams of soluble fiber per day.
A large-scale study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology indicates that waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio are superior predictors of cardiovascular disease risk compared to body mass index (BMI). Analyzing nearly 260,000 adults over 20 years, researchers found that individuals with normal or overweight BMI but high waist measurements faced a 15% to 50% higher risk of heart-related events. Conversely, those with obesity but small waists showed outcomes similar to normal-weight individuals, suggesting that fat distribution, not just total weight, drives health risks.
A study of nearly 260,000 people found that belly fat (visceral fat) measured by waist circumference or waist-to-hip ratio better predicts future heart disease risk than BMI alone; even individuals with normal or overweight BMI can have high visceral fat, increasing risk up to 50%. Clinicians should use waist metrics alongside BMI, and efforts to reduce belly fat—through a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management—are advised.
A large UK Biobank study published in Nature Mental Health (2025) links where fat sits on the body to brain aging: visceral fat around organs is directly associated with faster brain aging and white-matter damage, while fat in arms/legs/trunk shows distinct brain-system effects. Inflammation and insulin-glucose pathways are suspected mediators. The findings suggest reducing visceral fat could help prevent neurodegenerative disease, but the study is observational and not causal.
A large UK Biobank analysis of over 18,000 middle-aged and older adults finds that fat distribution—arm, leg, trunk, and especially visceral fat around internal organs—independently shapes brain structure, connectivity, and cognitive performance beyond BMI. Arm and trunk fat are linked to sensorimotor cortex thinning and hippocampal volume loss; leg fat affects limbic networks; visceral fat shows the strongest association with white-matter deterioration and faster brain aging as estimated by a Brain Age model. These patterns persist after adjusting for BMI, but the cross-sectional design means causality cannot be established.
A study of 66 women over 65 recovering from hip fracture found that applying testosterone gel alongside exercise reduced visceral fat buildup, while overall body fat stayed similar to controls, suggesting a targeted approach to improve recovery and long-term health in aging bodies.
During the holidays, alcohol and ultra-processed foods speed visceral fat gain and blunt fat burning. A practical plan—limit alcohol, drink water with each drink, front-load meals with protein and fiber, favor a Mediterranean-style plate, keep portions small, move daily, and maintain good sleep—can reduce waistline gain and improve metabolic markers within weeks.
A University of Connecticut study of 66 women over 65 recovering from hip fractures found that adding topical testosterone gel to a therapeutic exercise program reduced visceral fat after six months, while exercise alone increased visceral fat; total body fat stayed similar between groups. The finding suggests targeting visceral fat, not just total weight, could improve health during recovery, though more research is needed.
A study of 66 women over 65 recovering from hip fractures found that adding a topical testosterone gel to an exercise program reduced visceral fat (while total body fat stayed similar), suggesting a targeted approach to fat distribution could improve recovery and aging health without the muscle loss associated with blanket weight loss strategies. The STEP-HI study was published in Obesity Pillars.