Let’s talk about a topic that’s not exactly dinner conversation—but affects millions of people: constipation. Yeah, we’re going there.

If you’ve ever found yourself googling “why am I pooping less than three times a week,” you’re not alone. Constipation is more than an annoying inconvenience—it messes with your body, your mood, and your social life (because nothing ruins brunch like abdominal cramps and bloating).

Roughly 15% of the world is backed up, and the numbers are climbing. So researchers decided to look beyond the usual suspects (fiber, water, Netflix marathons on the couch) and into something a bit more… circular.

Meet BRI: The New Kid in the Body Fat Block

You’ve probably heard of BMI—that outdated height-to-weight ratio that doctors use to say you’re “overweight” even if you run marathons. But there’s a newer, smarter metric called BRI (Body Roundness Index). Think of BRI as BMI’s cooler, more accurate cousin who actually understands how fat is distributed—especially around your belly.

Why does that matter?

Because where you carry your fat might be more important than how much you have, especially when it comes to health issues like diabetes, heart disease, and, yes—constipation.

So, Can Belly Fat Actually Help You Poop?

Buckle up: A study using data from over 12,000 Americans found that people with higher BRI scores—aka more abdominal fat—had a lower risk of constipation. Yep, you read that right.

Every 1-point increase in BRI was linked to a 13% drop in the odds of being constipated. Scientists even ran the numbers a bunch of ways and got the same result every time. They found the connection was strongest in younger adults, drinkers, and people with high blood pressure.

But don’t go skipping the gym just yet.

This isn’t an invitation to start building your beer belly. Researchers aren’t saying belly fat fixes constipation—just that there’s a weird and not-yet-fully-understood connection.

The Gut-Brain-Fat Connection Is Real

The science behind this is like a group chat where your belly, brain, and gut bacteria are constantly talking behind your back.

  • Obesity changes your gut bacteria, which can shift how your body digests food.
  • Alcohol messes with your nervous system, which controls your gut’s “go” signal.
  • Hypertension seems to stir up inflammation that might actually speed up your gut.

This web of connections could help explain why some people with higher belly fat aren’t as constipated—and why underweight people sometimes suffer more.

But There’s a Catch…

Not all studies agree. Some say obesity and constipation go hand in hand. Others say there’s no relationship. The reason? Most researchers rely on BMI, which, again, doesn’t really show where your fat is or how it behaves.

That’s why BRI is the new MVP. It does a better job of spotting belly fat—and belly fat may be the missing link in the whole poop puzzle.

Also, Your Poop Says a Lot About Inequality

The study also spotted some uncomfortable truths: People with constipation were more likely to be women, Black, less educated, low-income, or single. These findings back up what we already know—health outcomes are often tied to social and economic factors, not just biology.

Stress, diet, access to healthcare, and even loneliness can mess with your digestive system. Poop is political, folks.

So… Should You Be Tracking Your BRI?

Maybe. While the science is still new, BRI could become a go-to health metric—especially for spotting risks that BMI misses. It’s not a magic number, but it’s a better lens for understanding how fat affects your health from head to (you guessed it) bowel.

TL;DR:

  • Constipation stinks. 15% of people worldwide are dealing with it.
  • A new study found that people with higher BRI (belly fat) actually had less constipation.
  • The gut-brain-fat connection might explain this weird trend.
  • Social factors like race, income, and education also play a big role.
  • BRI might beat BMI in measuring health risks—and your poop might thank you.

So next time you’re feeling stuck, remember: health is complicated. And sometimes, the answer lies in places we’d rather not talk about at happy hour.

Chen L, Xiao H, Yu X, Huang B, Guo S, Yuan T, Deng S. Negative association between body roundness index and constipation: insights from NHANES. J Health Popul Nutr. 2025 May 9;44(1):149. doi: 10.1186/s41043-025-00886-3. PMID: 40346717; PMCID: PMC12065198.