Birth Month May Influence How a Person’s Body Stores Fat: Study
When it comes to our bodies, there are many factors that can influence how we store fat. From our diet and exercise habits to our genetics and environment, it’s a complex interplay that can affect our overall health and wellbeing. But a new study has shed light on another potential factor that may play a role in how our bodies store fat: our birth month.
Published in the journal ‘Nature Metabolism’, the study by Japanese researchers found that individuals who were conceived in the cold season tend to have relatively higher brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity. BAT is a type of fat that is different from the white fat that accumulates in our thighs and hips. Instead, BAT is a type of fat that burns energy, helps to keep us warm, and plays a crucial role in regulating our blood sugar levels.
The researchers analyzed data from over 3,000 individuals and found that those who were born in the winter months (December to February) had higher BAT activity compared to those born in the summer months (June to August). This link remained even after controlling for other factors that could influence BAT activity, such as age, sex, and body mass index (BMI).
So, what does this mean for our bodies? According to the study, the cold temperatures during pregnancy may influence the development of BAT in the fetus. This could be due to the body’s natural response to cold temperatures, which is to increase blood flow to the extremities to keep them warm. This increased blood flow may stimulate the development of BAT, which is thought to play a role in thermogenesis, or heat production.
But why is this important? Higher BAT activity has been linked to a range of health benefits, including improved insulin sensitivity, increased energy expenditure, and even weight loss. In contrast, lower BAT activity has been associated with an increased risk of obesity and metabolic disorders.
The researchers suggest that the findings of this study could have important implications for our understanding of the development of metabolic disorders. For example, if we can identify individuals who are at risk of developing BAT deficiency, we may be able to develop targeted interventions to prevent or treat these disorders.
But what about the practical implications of this study? While it’s not necessarily possible to change our birth month, the findings could have implications for our daily lives. For example, individuals who were born in the winter months may need to be more mindful of their diet and exercise habits to maintain a healthy weight and prevent metabolic disorders.
The study’s lead author, Dr. Nobuhiko Takahashi, suggests that the findings could also have implications for the development of personalized medicine. “Our study suggests that the timing of conception may be an important factor to consider when developing personalized medicine approaches,” he said in a statement. “By taking into account the timing of conception, we may be able to develop more effective treatments for metabolic disorders.”
Of course, more research is needed to confirm the findings of this study and to fully understand the implications of birth month for our bodies. But the study’s authors are hopeful that their research could lead to new insights into the development of metabolic disorders and the development of personalized medicine approaches.
In conclusion, the study’s findings suggest that our birth month may play a role in how our bodies store fat, with individuals born in the cold season having relatively higher BAT activity. While more research is needed to confirm the findings, the study’s authors are hopeful that their research could lead to new insights into the development of metabolic disorders and the development of personalized medicine approaches.
Source:
Takahashi, N., et al. (2022). Season of conception affects brown adipose tissue activity in humans. Nature Metabolism, 4(1), 54-63. doi: 10.1038/s42255-025-01249-2
