As you age, extra pounds may begin to park in your belly area. But as your waistline grows, so does your health risk. Visceral and subcutaneous fat in the belly region spout toxins throughout your entire body, increasing your risk for health problems such as diabetes and heart disease.
Visceral Fat
Visceral fat is a type of belly fat that lies deep within your abdominal cavity, surrounding your abdominal organs. This type of fat is strongly linked to risk factors such as metabolic disturbances, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In women, it has been linked to breast cancer and the need for gallbladder surgery. Fat accumulating in the abdominal area, resulting in an apple shape, is predominantly visceral fat.
Subcutaneous Fat
Subcutaneous fat is the type of abdominal fat that lies between the skin and the abdominal wall. This type of fat may play a role in insulin resistance in men, but not in women. As a rule of thumb, fat accumulating in the lower body, resulting in a pear shape, is subcutaneous fat.
Measuring
Measuring midsection fat distribution can be done in three ways. The easiest way is to measure your waist circumference by running a tape measure around your middle, beginning at your belly button. You can also determine your body mass index, or BMI, which requires using a mathematical formula found on various health websites, such as the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute website. Finally, you can measure your waist-to-hip ratio by dividing your waist measurement at its narrowest point by your hip measurement at its widest point.
Dangers
Abdominal fat cells are not just dormant little cells waiting to be burned up. They are biologically active, producing hormones and toxins that can profoundly affect your health. For women, abdominal fat increases the risk of heart disease, breast cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure and colorectal cancer. In men, abdominal fat increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and sleep apnea.
Prevention/Solution
While age and genetics play a role in whether or not you will develop a lot of belly fat, it is more likely to do with your lifestyle. As you age, muscle mass begins to decrease, especially if you are not active. This muscle mass is what burns your body's calories. As your muscle mass decreases, you may begin gaining weight. Strength training with weights helps kick-start your metabolism. Daily, moderate-intensity cardio activity will also help you lose weight, tone your muscles and shrink belly fat. You should balance this exercise with a healthy diet low in saturated fats and high in fruits, vegetables and lean proteins.
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