Abdominal fat has been found to put Australian women - but not men - less at risk of bone fracture.
In a new study, researchers suggest that the protective effect of abdominal fat in women probably relates to higher levels of oestrogen.
Women with more abdominal fat tend to have higher levels of oestrogen, which protects against bone loss, and therefore fracture risk.
The authors do make it clear, though, that they are not recommending that women should gain abdominal fat to protect their bones.
The research is consistent with the fact that obesity levels are rising worldwide and at the same time fracture incidence is decreasing.
Read more at Garvan Institute