A new study published in BMC Psychiatry reveals that people with higher abdominal fat levels are more likely to suffer from sleep disorders, and depression may partly explain the connection.
The research focused on the Body Roundness Index (BRI), a more precise measure than BMI for assessing fat distribution, particularly around the abdomen. Unlike BMI, BRI better reflects visceral fat—the kind that surrounds internal organs and is known to harm metabolic and cardiovascular health.
Analyzing health data from over 32,000 U.S. adults, researchers found that for every one-unit increase in BRI, the risk of having a diagnosed sleep disorder rose by 13%. Those with the highest BRI scores were 50% more likely to report sleep problems compared to those with the lowest.
Depression played a meaningful role in this relationship. Participants with higher BRI scores were more likely to show symptoms of depression, which was also strongly linked to sleep disorders. Statistical analysis showed that depression explained about 14% of the total effect of abdominal fat on sleep problems.
Interestingly, the study uncovered a J-shaped pattern: individuals with a BRI below 3.5 had a slightly lower sleep disorder risk, but once that threshold was crossed, the risk rose sharply. This suggests there may be a tipping point where visceral fat severely impacts sleep.
These findings highlight the importance of managing abdominal fat not just for physical health, but also for mental well-being and sleep quality. Addressing both body composition and mental health could offer a more effective path to better sleep.
