Researchers have shown that depression is linked with the accumulation of visceral or belly fat, the kind of fat packed between internal organs at the waistline, which has long been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Numerous studies have shown that depression is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, but exactly how has never been clear.

"Our results suggest that central adiposity, which is commonly called belly fat, is an important pathway by which depression contributes to the risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes," said Lynda Powell, the study's principal investigator. "In our study, depression was clearly related to deposits of visceral fat, which is the type of fat involved in disease."

The study included 409 middle-aged women, about half African-American and half Caucasian, who were participating in the Women in the South Side Health Project (WISH) in Chicago, a longitudinal study of the menopausal transition. Depression was assessed using a common screening test, and visceral fat measured with a CT scan. Although waist size is often used as a proxy for the amount of visceral fat, it is an inaccurate measure because it includes subcutaneous fat, or fat deposited just beneath the skin.

The researchers found a strong correlation between depression and visceral fat, particularly among overweight and obese women. The results were the same even when the analysis adjusted for other variables that might explain the accumulation of visceral fat, such as the level of physical activity. The study found no association between depression and subcutaneous fat. The findings were the same for both black and white women.

Powell speculated that depression triggers the accumulation of visceral fat by means of certain chemical changes in the body, like the production of cortisol and inflammatory compounds, but said that more research is needed to pinpoint the exact mechanism.

Related Articles


Dietary and Lifestyle Factors to Lower High Blood Pressure Incidence According to a study, adherence to modifiable lifestyle and dietary factors including maintaining normal weight, daily vigorous exercise, eating a diet high in

What Is Cholesterol? To understand high blood cholesterol, it is important to know more about cholesterol.  Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is found in

Smoking, High Blood Pressure and Overweight Top 3 Preventable Causes of Mortality According to the most comprehensive study yet to look at how diet, lifestyle and metabolic risk factors for chronic disease contribute to mortality in the

Study Shows Wii Video Games Improve Motor Function in Stroke Patients According to a study, virtual reality game technology using Wii™ may help recovering stroke patients improve their motor function. The study found the

Tips For Heart Health Heart disease is the leading cause of the death in the United States. The risk of heart disease increases with age. There is a greater risk of heart

References:
1. Lynda Powell, et al. Rush University Medical Center.

Add comment

User Name (Required)

E-mail (Required - Never shown publicly)

Website (Optional)

Notify me of follow-up comments

If you cannot read the code click to refresh for a new code.

Add comment

Cancel