Excess belly fat is a cause of concern for many Americans. For some, this is the first place that shows their weight gain and the last place they will lose it. Excess belly fat can put you at risk for heart disease, breast cancer, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, gallbladder problems, high blood pressure and colorectal cancer. By knowing what causes excess belly fat, you can also see how it is possible to keep it off.
Drinking Excess Alcohol
Drinking alcohol can cause some people to have what is called a "beer belly." Although this is not restricted only to beer, drinking too much alcohol of any type can cause excess body fat. Alcohol contains calories that have no nutrient value as will as simple carbohydrates. Anytime you take in more calories and carbohydrates than your body can use it will be stored as fat.
Slower Metabolism Due to Age and Lifestyle
As you get older, your metabolism slows down. Metabolism determines the rate at which your body burns calories. This decrease in metabolism can contribute to excess belly fat because your body is not burning as many calories as it used to. Not leading an active lifestyle with a healthy diet will contribute to excess belly fat. In this case, excess belly fat is caused by taking in too many calories and not exercising regularly. Just as these two factors also have an impact on your metabolism, they are a part of your lifestyle. Regular exercise and a healthy diet will help keep away excess body fat. That also means a possible reduction in the total amount of calories you take in each day since excess calories (basically unused energy) is stored by the body as fat.
Stress
Georgetown University scientists, in study published in 2007, found a direct link between stress and weight gain when they studied mice. When the mice were subjected to repeated stress and consumed foods high in sugar and fat, the mice gained abdominal fat. The conclusion is that is the same cycle occurring with humans. As you experience stress, you eat more high-sugar and high-fat foods, exercise less and then gain abdominal fat from the excess calories and carbohydrates along with a drop in exercise.
Genetics
Genetics can play a role in the development of your belly fat and your chances of being overweight or obese. What you are looking at, in terms of genetics, are where your body is likely to store fat. In this case, your body may be predisposed to developing excess fat in your abdominal area. That does not mean, however, that you will definitely have excess belly fat, become overweight or obese.
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