Getting older often brings changes to how the body stores fat, which can cause long-term health issues. But recent research found there may be a key to reducing the fat linked to more health risks.
A recent study from the University of Connecticut looked at a targeted approach to fat redistribution in older women. Researchers found that testosterone gel combined with exercise could help older women reduce the type of belly fat most closely linked to diabetes and heart disease.
The research followed 66 women over age 65 who were recovering from hip fractures. Hip fractures are a serious concern for older women and occur nearly three times more often in women than in men. They frequently lead to lost independence, reduced mobility and a higher risk of additional health problems.
To join the study, participants needed to be living at home or in an assisted living facility before their injury.
The research team looked for women who were mildly to moderately frail and had low testosterone levels. Each participant also received a bone density test to measure deep belly fat prior to starting the treatment program.
All participants joined a therapeutic exercise program. One group also received topical testosterone gel as part of their treatment, while the control group received exercise only.
Visceral fat and why it matters
Not all body fat carries the same health risks. Subcutaneous fat is stored just under the skin and a normal part of the body.
Visceral fat accumulates deeper in the abdomen and around internal organs. Research has consistently linked it to serious conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
As people age, hormonal changes can drive a shift in where fat ends up.
Jacob Earp, assistant professor of kinesiology at the University of Connecticut, explains in a summary of the study’s findings:
“As men and women age, there’s an unhealthy redistribution of fat from the more innocuous regions into the visceral compartment. There is a direct link between sex hormones and fat distribution throughout the body.”
Standard weight loss approaches 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.
What the study found
After six months, follow-up scans revealed that overall body fat did not differ between the two groups, but the women who received testosterone gel showed lower levels of visceral fat. Meanwhile, the women who exercised but did not receive testosterone experienced an increase in visceral fat — a pattern typically seen during hip fracture recovery.
“These are devastating injuries that most women don’t ever recover from,” Earp said. “In this case, any kind of intervention that can have a beneficial effect on health, you could potentially have a huge improvement in quality of life for the individual.”
The findings point toward a potential new approach for 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 could prove more beneficial for this population.
More research is needed to determine how these findings might translate to broader practice. But for older women concerned about recovery and long-term health, the connection between hormones and fat distribution may deserve closer attention.
