New research suggests that hidden fat patterns in the body may accelerate brain aging and raise the risk of cognitive decline—even in people who don’t appear obese. A study published in Radiology reveals that fat stored in the pancreas or carried by “skinny fat” individuals can be particularly harmful to brain health. The first, “pancreatic-predominant,” involves unusually high fat levels in the pancreas, while the second, “skinny fat,” describes people with high overall fat despite a normal or only slightly elevated BMI. Both patterns underline that brain health depends not just on total body fat but also on its location and composition. Association of Body Fat Distribution Patterns at MRI with Brain Structure, Cognition, and Neurologic Diseases.