Belly fat, spare tire and middle age spread are all informal terms used to describe visceral fat. Belly fat is a layer of fat tissue that is deeper than subcutaneous fat you might notice in other areas of your body and surrounds your internal organs, creating several potential health risks. Hormonal disorders, changes or imbalances can play a role in the development of belly fat.
High Cortisol
High levels of cortisol, a hormone your body produced in response to stress, can contribute to belly fat. Your midsection has more receptors that store and process cortisol than other areas of your body. If you are not under a lot of stress, your cortisol levels fluctuate during the day, but if you are tense and under pressure, the hormone levels rise and stay high. The constant high level of cortisol causes you to gain more belly fat due to the increase number of receptors in the abdomen.
Menopause
During menopause, a woman's estrogen, progesterone and testosterone--the sex hormones--decreases. While this is not considered a disorder, it is a veering from the normal hormonal levels of the child-bearing years. When hormone levels drop, your body's metabolism and way of processing normal bodily functions change, which can contribute to the increase of belly fat. Metabolism slows when both men and women age, which contributes to weight gain. Putting on extra pounds and visceral fat in the middle is a common phenomenon for menopausal women as well as middle aged men.
Insulin Resistance
Visceral fat can increase your risk of heart disease, high cholesterol and insulin resistance, a hormonal disorder associated with diabetes. Insulin resistance is the case in which your body does not respond to insulin, the hormone that distributed glucose throughout the body. When your body becomes resistant to insulin, your glucose levels become too high, and you are at risk for developing diabetes.
Considerations
Aerobic exercise and strength training can help slim down your midsection of belly fat and reduce your risk of chronic health concerns. If you have hormone disorders that are contributing to your problems, consult your doctor to determine the appropriate treatment as a first-line treatment for the belly fat you have accrued. Speak to your medical care team about your diet and exercise program to be sure you are healthy enough to participate.
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