What is Belly Fat?

Usually, belly fat is subcutaneous fat, which is underneath the skin.

If you have problems with abdominal fat, it may also be visceral

fat. This is also known as organ fat that is packed between your

internal organs. 

This is also known as the “pot belly” or the “beer

belly.” It is associated with type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular

disease, and colorectal cancer.

In recent studies, scientists have come to realize that it isn’t really

how much a person weighs—It’s their amount of body fat that truly

indicates obesity.

Throughout the 1980’s and 90’s imaging techniques were

developed that helped improve the understanding of exactly how

many health risks can be associated with the accumulation of body

fat. 

These include tomography and magnetic resonance which

help divide masses of tissue in the abdominal region.

For women, belly fat is more common after menopause.

Sometimes, those people who just think this goes hand-in-hand

with getting older, and don’t realize the danger it can cause. 

While women feel like it is just something that makes them go up a size

in their jeans, it does carry health risks.

Like fat in any other area, it is determined by balancing your

calories you take in with the energy you burn. In other words, if

you eat too much and burn too little, you’ll have excess fat. 

As youget older, your muscle mass reduces. Your fat, however,

increases. When your muscle mass reduces, it also reduces the

rate your body uses calories. This can make it even more difficult

for people to maintain a weight that is healthy as they age.

Sometimes, you can have an increase of belly fat as you age

without even gaining weight. In women, this can be due to a

reduced level of estrogen. 

Research has shown that estrogen  seems to influence where the fat is distributed in a woman’s body.

Regardless of a weight shown as normal on the BMI measurement

charts, women with a large waistline have been known to carry the

risk of premature death and often dye earlier of cardiovascular

disease.

Most women hate to even have an inch or so too much belly fat.

How do you know, however, if the belly fat you carry is a health

risk? Just measure it. Use a tape measure and place it around

your bare stomach. You want it to be snug, but not cut into the

skin. For women, if your measurement is over 35 inches, you’ll be

at a greater risk for health problems. For men, the measurement

of concern is around 40 inches.

People who are plagued with belly fat often exercise and

participate in healthy activities, yet they still retain that unwanted

fat. It seems like the fat is immune to exercise. So how do you get

rid of it? What is the magic combination that says “poof” to that

extra poundage? It depends on your sex, age, and the amount of

pounds you want to lose, but there are many tips to help you

reduce that unwanted belly fat.