How does temperature affect body composition?

A study recently published in the scientific journal "Nature Metabolism" has revealed an unusual connection between the month of birth and the way our bodies store fat.

According to researchers, the temperatures surrounding us at the moment of birth, especially during pregnancy, may play a key role in this process.

Knowledge and studies to date have focused more on the fact that diet and physical activity significantly affect body composition, researchers have noticed that even the temperature of the environment in which we are born can affect the development of different types of adipose tissue.

According to the study, "brown fat," which is particularly active in newborn babies, helps the body produce heat and is important for maintaining body temperature in cold climates.

In contrast, "white fat" serves as a long-term energy reserve and tends to accumulate more in warm conditions, in addition to acting as an endocrine organ that produces hormones.

This seasonal difference in temperature exposure during pregnancy or childbirth can affect the balance between the two types of fat and shape how we store fat throughout life.

The study analyzed data from 683 people aged 3 to 78, who were born at different times of the year and were exposed to different temperatures during birth or conception.

The results showed that those who were conceived during cold seasons had higher levels of brown fat activity, which is associated with less visceral fat, greater daily energy expenditure and lower body mass index (BMI) in adulthood.

 

"In this study, we show that individuals conceived during periods of low temperatures exhibit higher brown fat activity, better adaptive thermogenesis, higher daily energy expenditure, and less visceral fat accumulation," the authors emphasize.

 

Researchers also point out that lower ambient temperatures and large daily fluctuations during the conception period are key factors influencing the activation of brown fat.

 

The research team plans to continue with other studies to better understand this link between the birth environment and metabolic health in later life.