Study Links Healthy Diet and Exercise to Reduced Belly Fat

A recent study conducted in the United Kingdom has revealed that a combination of a healthy diet and increased physical activity can significantly reduce harmful visceral fat, which is linked to serious metabolic diseases. The research, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, tracked over 7,200 middle-aged adults for an average of seven years, providing new insights into how lifestyle changes can impact fat distribution in the body.

Visceral fat, the dense fat stored around the organs in the abdomen, poses a greater health risk compared to subcutaneous fat, which lies just beneath the skin. This type of fat is associated with a higher likelihood of developing conditions such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. According to Dr. Shayan Aryannezhad, a researcher at the University of Oxford and one of the study’s authors, the findings underscore the importance of not just focusing on weight loss but also considering where fat is stored in the body.

“When people talk about changes in body weight, they often refer to a single number on the scale. But not all weight loss or gain is the same,” he explained. The study found that participants who adopted healthier eating habits and increased their physical activity experienced slower weight gain overall. Those who made both changes saw even more significant benefits.

On average, individuals who improved their diet and exercised gained 1.9 kilograms less total body fat and 150 grams less visceral fat compared to those with less healthy lifestyles. This reduction represents about 7 percent of total body fat and 16 percent of visceral fat, indicating that the combination of diet and exercise is particularly effective.

The researchers noted that these associations remained significant even after accounting for body mass index (BMI), a common obesity indicator, suggesting that visceral fat is the first to diminish when healthier lifestyles are adopted.

Dr. Nita Forouhi, a professor of population health and nutrition at the University of Cambridge, highlighted the broader implications of the study. She stated that enhancing diet and exercise during midlife could not only aid in weight management but also lower the risk of metabolic diseases, promoting healthier aging.

“Despite the challenges of living in environments that promote unhealthy eating and inactivity, there is benefit from making small, sustained changes that lead to both healthier diets and increased energy expenditure,” she emphasized.

These findings add to the growing body of evidence that underscores the significance of lifestyle choices in managing health outcomes. As public health initiatives continue to address obesity and related health issues, the results of this study may inform strategies aimed at reducing visceral fat and its associated health risks.