Cooling Vests May Aid Weight Loss by Activating Brown Fat, Study Suggests
A recent study presented at the European Congress on Obesity indicates that cooling vests may aid in weight reduction. Conducted by researchers Mariëtte Boon from Leiden University Medical Center and Helen Budge from the University of Nottingham, the research included 47 overweight or obese participants in the Netherlands. Over a period of six weeks, those wearing cooling vests daily for two hours lost an average of 2 pounds, whereas the control group saw an increase of 1.3 pounds. The findings suggest that cold exposure could stimulate brown fat, prompting further investigation into the benefits of cold showers on metabolism.
Key facts
- Study presented at European Congress on Obesity in May 2026
- 47 overweight or obese adults in the Netherlands participated
- Half wore cooling vest and waist wrap for 2 hours daily for 6 weeks
- Cold-exposure group lost average 2 pounds; control group gained 1.3 pounds
- Weight loss came from body fat reduction; lean mass unchanged
- Cold exposure activates brown fat, which burns body fat for heat
- Researchers are testing 90-second cold showers for similar effects
- 2025 study found cold water immersion may increase post-exposure calorie intake
Entities
Institutions
- Leiden University Medical Center
- University of Nottingham School of Medicine
- European Congress on Obesity
- Arctic University of Norway
- Men's Health U.K.
- Healthline
- The Guardian
- The London Times
Locations
- Netherlands
- England