Preferential deposition of visceral adipose tissue occurs due to physical inactivity.

We hypothesised that strict inactivity (bed rest) would lead to regional differences in fat deposition. Twenty-four male subjects underwent 60 d bed rest and remained inactive (n = 9), performed resistance exercise plus whole-body vibration (RVE; n = 7) or resistance exercise only (RE; n = 8). Fat mass was assessed via dual X-ray absorptiometry. In the inactive subjects, fat deposition differed between body regions (P = 0.0005) with android region visceral adipose tissue increasing the most (+29% at the end of bed rest), followed by remainder of the trunk (from chin to the iliac crest; +10%) and the arms and legs (both +7%). Insulin sensitivity reduced in the inactive subjects at the end of bed rest (P = 0.036). RE did not have a significant impact on regional fat mass changes (P ⩾ 0.055). In RVE, increases in visceral adipose tissue (-14%; P = 0.028 vs inactive subjects) and in the arms (arms -8%, P = 0.011 vs inactive) were not seen. We conclude that inactivity leads to a preferential increase in visceral adipose tissue.

Preferential deposition of visceral adipose tissue occurs due to physical inactivity

We hypothesised that strict inactivity (bed rest) would lead to regional differences in fat deposition. Twenty-four male subjects underwent 60d bed rest and remained inactive (n = 9), performed resistance exercise plus whole-body vibration (RVE; n = 7) or resistance exercise only (RE; n = 8). Fat mass was assessed via dual X-ray absorptiometry. In the inactive subjects, fat deposition differed between body regions (P = 0.0005) with android region visceral adipose tissue increasing the most (+29% at the end of bed rest), followed by remainder of the trunk (from chin to the iliac crest; +10%) and the arms and legs (both +7%). Insulin sensitivity reduced in the inactive subjects at the end of bed rest (P = 0.036). RE did not have a significant impact on regional fat mass changes (P ≥ 0.055). In RVE, increases in visceral adipose tissue (-14%; P = 0.028 vs inactive subjects) and in the arms (arms -8%, P = 0.011 vs inactive) were not seen. We conclude that inactivity leads to a preferential increase in visceral adipose tissue.