Study Links Abdominal Fat to Increased Chronic Pain in Women

A study from the UK Biobank dataset reveals a correlation between abdominal fat and chronic pain, particularly in women. Women with visceral adipose tissue are twice as likely to experience widespread chronic pain. The study also suggests that addressing abdominal fat could potentially reduce this pain.

Excess abdominal fat is linked to a higher likelihood of experiencing widespread chronic pain, especially among women, according to a recent study.

Researchers examined data from over 32,000 participants in the UK Biobank and found that women with fat surrounding abdominal organs, known as visceral adipose tissue, were twice as likely to suffer from chronic pain at multiple points in their bodies. The study participants, approximately half of whom were women with an average age of 55, underwent pain assessments and MRI scans of their abdomens.

The study, published in the journal Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, also highlighted that women with higher levels of subcutaneous adipose tissue faced a 60% increased risk of widespread chronic pain. Magnetic resonance imaging was employed to measure both types of fat—visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue—while pain assessments were used to evaluate the extent of pain experienced by participants. The researchers noted that addressing abdominal fat might help alleviate chronic pain, especially when it is widespread.