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.