Gaby
When we think of a smoker, we often picture a slender figure reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn. However, the authors of a new study claim that even thin smokers can harbor a significant amount of unhealthy fat in their bellies—specifically, visceral fat.
There’s a common belief that smoking suppresses appetite, leading many smokers to fear gaining weight once they quit. But researchers have debunked this myth. It turns out that even those who maintain a relatively low weight can accumulate a considerable amount of deep abdominal fat. In fact, even with a flat stomach, they may still have a hidden stash of it.
What Scientists Discovered
Even individuals who are not prone to gaining weight but have smoked for many years risk building up significant reserves of the most harmful type of fat—visceral fat. This fat wraps around the internal organs in the abdominal area and is much harder to combat than subcutaneous fat. Moreover, it is linked to a higher risk of heart attacks, diabetes, and dementia.
To establish a connection between lifelong smoking and the accumulation of visceral fat, researchers from the University of Copenhagen employed a statistical analysis tool known as Mendelian randomization (MR). This method helps identify causal relationships by grouping individuals according to their genetic code.
The scientists applied this tool to data from European genetic studies focused on the impact of smoking on fat distribution in the body. This included a large-scale study involving 1.2 million people who had just started smoking and over 450,000 lifelong smokers. Another study examined fat distribution in the bodies of 600,000 participants.
First, the team identified which genes were associated with smoking habits and fat distribution. They then used this information to observe differences in fat placement between smokers and non-smokers.
In their research, the scientists also considered other factors contributing to fat accumulation, such as alcohol consumption and socio-economic status. They found that the impact of smoking on abdominal fat concentration was independent of these other factors.
Dr. Herman D. Carrasquilla, the lead author of the study, noted, “These results underscore the importance of large-scale efforts to prevent smoking in the population, as they may also help reduce abdominal visceral fat and all associated chronic diseases.”
The findings of the study were published in the journal Addiction.
By the way, HouseWife previously provided an in-depth look at what visceral fat is and why it poses a danger.
