This Simple Treatment Can Reduce Dangerous Belly Fat in Older Women
Aging often brings about changes in the way the body stores fat, which can cause long-term health problems. But recent research has found that there may be a key to reducing the fat that has been linked to many health risks.
A recent study from the University of Connecticut looked at a targeted approach to fat redistribution in older women. Researchers have found that testosterone gel combined with exercise can help older women reduce the type of belly fat that is most associated with diabetes and heart disease.
The study followed 66 women over the age of 65 who were recovering from a hip fracture. Hip fractures are a major problem for older women and occur about three times more often in women than in men. They often lead to loss of independence, reduced mobility and a greater risk of additional health problems.
To join the study, participants had to live at home or in an assisted living facility before their injury.
The research team looked at women who were mild to moderate and had low testosterone levels. Each participant also received a bone density test to measure deep abdominal fat before starting the treatment program.
All participants joined a therapeutic exercise program. One group also received testosterone gel as part of their treatment, while the control group received only exercise.
Visceral Fat and Why It Matters
Not all body fat has the same health risks. Subcutaneous fat is stored under the skin and the normal part of the body.
Visceral fat accumulates deep in the abdomen and around the internal organs. Research has been linking it to serious conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
As people age, hormonal changes can change where fat ends up.
Jacob Earp, assistant professor of kinesiology at the University of Connecticut, summarizes the study’s findings:
“As men and women age, there is a redistribution of unhealthy fat from harmless areas to the visceral area. There is a direct link between sex hormones and the distribution of fat throughout the body.”
Conventional weight loss methods tend to reduce overall body weight instead of targeting visceral fat. That creates problems for older adults who need to maintain muscle mass during recovery and beyond.
That’s what the study found
After six months, follow-up tests revealed that total body fat did not differ between the two groups, but women who received testosterone gel showed lower levels of visceral fat. Meanwhile, women who exercise but don’t get testosterone experience an increase in visceral fat — a pattern often seen during hip fracture recovery.
“This is a terrible injury that many women never recover from,” said Earp. “In this case, any kind of intervention that can have a positive effect on health, can have a big improvement in the health of the individual.”
The findings point to a potential new approach to improving recovery outcomes in older women. Rather than focusing solely on weight loss, targeting the specific type of fat that poses the greatest health risk may prove more beneficial in this population.
More research is needed to determine how these findings can translate into broader practice. But for older women concerned about recovery and long-term health, the connection between hormones and fat distribution may warrant closer attention.
