Gaining weight in the lower stomach may be the result of ingesting excess calories and a sedentary lifestyle. This is a simple, common reason for this type of weight gain, but there may be cause for concern. You may have underlying health concerns that need to be addressed such as stress, diabetes, heart disease or other metabolic disturbances.
Stress
Stress is one of the most common factors in lower abdominal weight gain. According to the Mayo Clinic, stress produces large amounts of cortisol, which is the body's mechanism to respond to potentially harmful situations. After long periods of stress, cortisol remains in your bloodstream and may cause chronic diseases.
Sedentary Lifestyle
A regular exercise program helps burn off body fat stores and prevent new fat from accumulating. It also helps prevent illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease and some cancers. A sedentary lifestyle means you are not burning off calories ingested, so they wind up stored in your adipose tissue. You do not have to have begin a rigorous exercise program to prevent this. According to the CDC, you need 150 minutes of moderate physical activity weekly to remain healthy.
Saturated Fat
Not all fat is created equal. Foods that contain monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats fight chronic diseases and help promote a firm abdomen. These include nuts, sunflower seeds, avocados and olive oil. However, saturated fats can encourage body fat to be stored in your abdominal region. Ingesting too many animal fats, such as red meat and liver, and dairy fats, such as butter and cream, can cause you to gain weight in your lower stomach.
Lack of Sleep
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, a lack of sleep can increase accumulation of abdominal fat. A study found that individuals under the age of 40 had an increased body mass index if they received less than five hours of sleep each night. The optimal range for sleep is between six to eight hours per night.
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