Extra fat around the waist linked to chronic pain, researchers say

Carrying extra fat around the waist is linked to chronic pain throughout the body, research suggests.

A new study found having more fat in the abdominal area – and around major organs such as the liver and pancreas – was linked to pain in numerous parts of the body, particularly in women.

Losing weight or tacking big waistlines may help relieve this pain, experts said.

The study, from researchers including at the University of Western Australia, examined data from 32,409 people taking part in the UK Biobank study, all of whom completed questionnaires and underwent health assessments.

Around half (51%) were women and their average age was 55.

They underwent MRI scans of their abdomen to measure the amount of fat around their abdominal organs (known as visceral adipose tissue).

The amount of fat just under the skin that can be pinched was also looked at (known as subcutaneous adipose tissue).

People were also asked if they had experienced any pain in their neck or shoulder, back, hip, knee or all over their body for more than three months.

Two years later, all the assessments were carried out again in 638 people in the group.

The results showed that the more fat people carried around their abdomens, the higher their chance of reporting pain.

Being overweight with a higher body mass index (BMI) was also linked to more chance of pain.

Women suffered more than men, the study found.

Writing in the journal Regional Anaesthesia And Pain Medicine, the authors said: “Higher levels of adipose tissue were also associated with greater odds of reporting chronic pain in both sexes.

“The effect estimates of these adipose measures were relatively larger in women than in men.

“The identified stronger effects in women than men may reflect sex differences in fat distribution and hormones.”

The team said cutting body fat around the waist “may be considered a target for chronic pain management, particularly in those with pain in multiple sites and widespread pain”.

They also suggested that the accumulation of body fat may be linked to increased inflammation, which then may cause people to suffer pain.

Inflammation may also impact the nervous system and people’s experience of pain, they said.