Recent studies indicate that elevated levels of visceral fat—the fat stored deep within the abdominal cavity—may accelerate biological aging in middle-aged individuals. Jenny Hui and Kun Zhu from the University of Western Australia co-authored the research, published in the journal Obesity, which found that visceral fat can influence the aging process independently of general obesity indicators.
“Our findings reveal that visceral fat is linked to faster biological and cellular aging,” explains Hui, Director of the Busselton Health Research Laboratory. “Understanding what drives more rapid aging helps us identify better ways to maintain health for longer.”
The researchers analyzed data from nearly 4,800 participants (2,614 women) aged 45 to 69 from the Busselton Healthy Aging Study and discovered that a greater amount of visceral fat correlates with accelerated biological aging in both men and women. For women, higher visceral fat levels were also associated with shorter telomeres—repetitive DNA sequences located at the ends of chromosomes, which serve as a key marker of cellular aging.
“Importantly, these associations remained significant even after accounting for total body fat, body mass index, waist circumference, and lifestyle factors,” says Zhu. “Visceral fat is metabolically active, releasing a range of pro-inflammatory proteins that contribute to systemic inflammation and metabolic stress. It can be easily measured through imaging techniques commonly used in routine bone density scans.”
Riordan O’Shea from the Western Australia Country Health Service, who led the analysis, stated that the project underscores the value of long-term public health research.
“Having access to high-quality data from longitudinal studies allowed us to gain deeper insights into how clinical risk factors relate to long-term health outcomes,” says O’Shea.
Established in 1966, the Busselton Health Study is internationally recognized as one of the longest-running population health research programs globally, offering an extensive dataset collected over decades that continues to support research into chronic diseases and healthy aging.
These findings highlight the importance of targeting abdominal fat as part of strategies aimed at promoting healthier aging.
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