Chronic Pain and Abdominal Fat: Insights from University of Tasmania Research

Chronic Pain Linked to Excess Abdominal Fat in Women

Recent research conducted by the University of Tasmania reveals a strong correlation between excess abdominal fat and the likelihood of experiencing widespread chronic pain in women. The study examined data from over 32,000 participants in the UK Biobank, focusing specifically on two types of fat: visceral adipose tissue and subcutaneous adipose tissue.

Study Findings

Women with increased visceral fat, which surrounds internal organs, were found to be twice as likely to report chronic pain across multiple body areas. Furthermore, those with higher levels of subcutaneous fat, which can be pinched beneath the skin, had a 60% increased risk of widespread pain.

Men and Chronic Pain

The research also included male participants and found that those with higher visceral and subcutaneous fat levels had a 34% and 39% increased risk of chronic pain, respectively. However, the stronger association in women may be influenced by differences in fat distribution and hormonal factors.

Implications for Health

The authors emphasize that addressing abdominal fat may be an important step in managing chronic pain, especially for women. Utilizing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, the study measured fat types and evaluated pain experiences in participants, who reported pain lasting over three months. Further assessments were conducted after two years.

Research Limitations: Despite its findings, the study acknowledges limitations, such as the inability to establish causal relationships and the smaller subset of participants for follow-up tests.