Belly Fat in Men

Belly fat is a concern to both men and women, but men are more likely to gain weight in the abdominal region than women, according to MayoClinic.com. Belly fat is also called visceral fat, and it's a type of fat that is located deeper down under the skin than the subcutaneous fat that you may have on your arms or legs. Monitoring the size of your belly can help you stay healthy.

Causes

Men tend to put on weight as they age, due to a slowing of metabolism and fluctuation of hormones. As men age, they produce less testosterone, which may contribute to weight gain, explains Dr. Donald Hensrud of the Mayo Clinic. The loss of muscle mass can also cause extra fat to accumulate around the middle. A high-calorie, high-fat diet and a smoking habit may also play a role in the development of visceral fat. Even if you conduct a healthy lifestyle, you could develop belly fat simply because your parents are built the same way; visceral fat can also be genetic, according to Hensrud.

What's Too Much

You may have too much belly fat, which can increase your risk of heart disease, if your waist measures more than 40 inches around, according to MayoClinic.com. Use a soft tape measure to determine your measurement. Measure around your stomach at the fullest point just above your hips.

Health Risks

Carrying around extra weight, particularly around the midsection, can increase the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and sleep apnea in men, reports MayoClinic.com. The location of visceral fat, around the abdominal cavity, can cause more problems than fat in other areas of the body because it puts pressure on the nearby internal organs, according to Medical News Today.

Diet

Diet modification can prevent belly fat in some cases, and may be able to help you whittle away at your waistline. Belly fat on a man is often called a "beer belly" and there is some scientific evidence behind the term, according to Henrud. Alcohol, particularly beer, slows the breakdown of fat in the body, especially in the midsection. Limiting your intake is beneficial to slimming down. Cutting back on saturated fats and cholesterol-laden foods manages your cholesterol levels and can also help you lose weight. MayoClinic.com advises reducing your daily caloric intake to make a dent in your visceral fat; replace high-calorie, processed foods with whole grains, fresh produce, low-fat dairy products and lean proteins such as chicken and fish as part of a healthy diet.

Exercise

Exercise can help you shed the belly fat and reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke at the same time. Disabled World points out that though your first impulse may be to lie down and perform crunches, strengthening your abdominals alone will not get rid of belly fat. Part of the process includes aerobic activity that elevates your heart rate and burns calories. Participating in a half hour of vigorous activity at least five days a week is a starting point to losing belly fat and staying healthy.