Obesity's Hidden Brain Impact: Pancreatic Fat Linked to Cognitive Decline

• New research reveals obesity's impact on the brain is linked to fat accumulation location, not just total body fat.
• Fat in the pancreas is identified as a significant, unseen health risk, potentially accelerating brain aging and cognitive decline.
• Individuals who appear thin externally but have high internal fat ('skinny fat') are also at risk, especially with abdominal fat.
• MRI technology was used to classify fat patterns, showing pancreatic fat percentages up to 30% in high-risk individuals.
• The study, involving 26,000 UK Biobank participants, emphasizes that fat storage location is crucial for brain health, not just BMI.

Why It Matters: Obesity's impact on brain health is driven by fat location, particularly pancreatic fat, not just overall weight.