Katharina Buczek
The term “dad bod” first emerged in 2015, and ever since then, this in-between physique that’s relatively slim but not quite toned has gained popularity on social media. According to one survey conducted by Advert Dermatology, 70% of women even admitted to being fans of this more realistic body shape.
However, is it possible that having a “dad bod” may be a risk factor for dementia?
Middle age often brings extra weight around the midsection, and a recent study conducted by researchers at Rutgers University suggests this might spell trouble for men’s cognitive health.
The research indicates that belly fat has a more significant impact on brain function and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease for high-risk middle-aged men when compared to women.
The researchers noted that in middle-aged people who have a family history of Alzheimer’s disease, the amount of fat around abdominal organs like the pancreas, stomach, and liver seems to be linked with brain size and cognitive abilities.
The study involved 204 healthy middle-aged individuals with a family history of Alzheimer’s, and the focus was on examining fat accumulation in the liver, pancreas, and abdominal area, with the researchers measuring these fat levels using MRI scans.
“In middle-aged males at high Alzheimer’s disease risk– but not females– higher pancreatic fat was associated with lower cognition and brain volumes, suggesting a potential [gender-specific] link between distinct abdominal fat with brain health,” explained Michal Schnaider Beeri, Rutgers Brain Health Institute’s Krieger Klein Endowed Chair in Neurodegeneration Research.
Obesity is currently recognized as a contributing factor to decreased cognitive function and an increased risk of dementia. However, the exact relationships vary between men and women.
The latest research underscores the need for further research into how different fat stores, brain aging, and cognitive abilities are interconnected, particularly considering the differences between genders.
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