09/23/2025
Get ready to vote! đ» Fat Bear Week 2025 is here, running from September 23-30. It's a celebration of the incredible brown bears of Alaska's Katmai National Park as they pack on pounds for hibernation. Not just an entertaining competitionâit's a fascinating look into the science and complexities of metabolic health.
Bear Physiology and Human Health
When bears hibernate, they enter a state of metabolic suspension that would be disastrous for humans. They can be completely sedentary for months, living off their fat reserves without losing muscle mass or bone density. Meanwhile, their bodies become highly insulin resistant, a state that in humans is a hallmark of Type 2 diabetes.
Then, with no preparation, they emerge from their hibernating dens and are fully functional, without any organ damage. In contrast, humans commonly develop blood clots after sitting on a plane for 3 hours.
What We Can Learn from Bears
Researchers are studying the bears' unique ability to switch their metabolism on and off without suffering negative health effects. Unlocking these secrets could provide insights into treating a range of human conditions, including:
Type 2 Diabetes: Bears can become insulin resistant and then reverse the condition. Understanding how they do this could lead to new treatments.
Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease: Despite carrying extreme amounts of fat, hibernating bears avoid heart disease and other complications.
Muscle Atrophy and Osteoporosis: Humans lose muscle and bone density from long periods of inactivity, such as during extended bed rest or space travel. Bears don't.
Cast your vote for the fattest bear! This competition is not fat-shaming -- it is recognizing the wonders of Nature and the complexity of metabolic adaptations that we see in bears during this unique phenomenon of hibernation.
Learn more and vote at FatBearWeek.org!
