After 40, your figure changes: scientists have explained why fat is more often deposited in the abdominal area

After 40 years, many women notice that fat is increasingly deposited in the abdominal area, even if the weight hardly changes, the diet remains the same, and the training has not disappeared anywhere.

This is not necessarily the result of “bad discipline” or a sudden love for evening buns. During middle age, hormonal levels, muscle mass, daily activity levels, and the biology of fat tissue itself change simultaneously. A new study by City of Hope scientists helps understand one of the cellular mechanisms of this process, but does not provide a reason to promise a “flat stomach” with two supermarket products, writes Science.

Why does fat after 40 often shift to the stomach?

As you age, your body changes in more ways than just the number on the scale. In women during perimenopause and after menopause, a redistribution of adipose tissue often occurs: less of it is deposited in the hips and buttocks, and more in the central part of the body, including the abdominal area and internal organs.

This is due to changes in estrogen levels, as well as age-related declines in muscle mass and energy expenditure. Research shows that menopause is associated not so much with an obligatory sharp weight gain, but with a change in the distribution of fat towards central and visceral. It is visceral fat, which surrounds internal organs, that is more strongly associated with an increased risk of metabolic disorders, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, reports PubMed, Mayo Clinic

Therefore, a “small belly” after 40 does not always mean that a person has begun to eat more. Sometimes the weight is almost stable, but the proportion of fat tissue increases and muscle tissue decreases. Libra can be calm, but for some reason jeans already behave like a strict government inspector.

What City of Hope scientists found

Research published in the journal Science in 2025, studied the so-called progenitor cells of adipocytes – the cells from which new fat cells are then formed. Scientists have discovered that with age, a special population of cells appears in adipose tissue that can more actively participate in the creation of new adipocytes.

The authors named these cells CP-A, or committed preadipocyte, age-enriched: precursors of fat cells, the number and activity of which increase with age. In experiments on mice, it was these cells that helped explain why adipose tissue in the middle age group is able to expand more actively, especially in the abdominal area, he writes. Science

It is important not to exaggerate the conclusion. The study shows a potential biological mechanism for age-related fat accumulation, but that doesn’t mean scientists have yet found the cure for belly fat after 40. We are talking about fundamental work with cells and animal models, and not about ready-made treatments for people.

What about LIFR and “belly medicine”

The work studied the signaling pathway associated with the LIFR receptor. Its suppression in experimental models affected the activity of progenitor cells and the formation of new fat cells. This makes the LIFR pathway a potential target for future drug research.

But this does not yet mean that there is a safe drug that can be prescribed to people to prevent age-related belly fat. Between a laboratory discovery and a drug, years of research into safety, dosing, side effects and clinical trials take place. Sometimes the path ends with a successful drug, sometimes with nothing but a very beautiful diagram in a scientific article.

Salmon and avocado: healthy, but do not “dissolve” fat

Salmon is a good source of protein, vitamin D and the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. It can be a healthy part of the diet, especially when it replaces processed meats, sugary snacks, or foods with excess saturated fat. Omega-3s may also have a beneficial effect on triglyceride levels and some indicators of inflammation.

But the claim that salmon itself “burns visceral fat” is too bold. Reviews of studies on omega-3s show mixed results, with some studies reporting small improvements in body composition or waist circumference, but no conclusive evidence that omega-3s alone and consistently cause significant weight loss.

See also Systematic review of omega-3 studies

Avocados contain monounsaturated fats and fiber and can be very filling and a healthy alternative to foods that contain excess sugar or saturated fat. But it doesn’t “melt” belly fat either. Any product works only within the general diet, and not as an independent rescue squad against the waist.

What Really Helps Reduce the Risk of Fat Gain After 40

The most realistic approach is not to look for one magic food, but to maintain muscle mass, maintain regular physical activity and gradually adjust your diet.

• Strength training: help maintain and build muscle mass, which usually decreases with age.
• Protein in the diet: needed to maintain muscles and longer satiety.
• Fiber: vegetables, legumes, whole grains, berries and fruits help control appetite and maintain gut health.
• Sleep and stress: Chronic sleep deprivation and constant stress can impair appetite control and metabolic parameters.
• Regular activity: walking, swimming, cycling and any sustainable habits are healthier than rare heroic “reboots” for three days.

Fat cannot be removed only from the abdomen: abdominal exercises strengthen the core muscles, but do not force the body to burn fat exclusively in one place. The reduction in fat mass occurs systemically, and the distribution of changes depends on genetics, age, hormonal levels and general lifestyle.

When to discuss this with your doctor

If the volume of the abdomen increases rapidly, at the same time there are severe fatigue, sleep disturbances, sudden changes in the cycle, pressure surges, severe swelling or changes in blood sugar levels, it is better to discuss the situation with a doctor. Sometimes changes in weight or volume can be caused not only by age and menopause, but also by thyroid disorders, side effects of medications, insulin resistance or other conditions.

Main conclusion: After 40, the body can actually distribute fat differently, and this is not a reason to blame yourself for a lack of willpower. But “superfoods” will not solve the problem on their own. A more reliable strategy is regular movement, strength training, adequate protein, normal sleep, control of chronic diseases and a calm attitude that the body does not have to look like an advertising poster from twenty years ago.

Sources: Science, PubMed, Mayo Clinic, systematic review of omega-3. The material is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.

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