Middle-Age Weight Gain Tied to Hyperactive Stem Cells in Belly Fat

Scientists studying midlife weight gain discovered that certain belly-region stem cells ramp up production of new fat once adults hit their 40s or 50s. The effect helps explain why so many people notice a thicker waistline despite unchanged diets or exercise. While standard health habits remain important, these findings highlight an underlying biological shift. Mice and human tissue samples show these stem cells become more active with age, likely due to hormones and gene triggers. If research eventually targets this process safely, it might unlock therapies to reduce midlife belly expansion—although experts warn messing with fundamental adipose functions can have side effects.