Wrapping your belly with an ace bandage has a few limited advantages. It may help keep your form during exercise, slightly lower the risk of herniation and prevent some strain on your back during lifting. Weight loss is not one of those benefits.
Effects of Belly Bandages
Ace bandages around your belly will increase the amount you sweat. This may bring about a slight weight loss over the course of a day. This weight loss is only temporary and will be restored as soon as your drink any liquid. The bandage will only make you uncomfortable throughout the course of the day or exercise session.
Contact Dermatitis
Wearing an ace bandage across your abdomen for prolonged periods of time and the sweating it can cause may lead to a condition known as contact dermatitis. This condition is an inflammation of the skin that causes itching, redness, oozing blisters and pain. If left untreated this condition can lead to neurodermatitis.
Other Risks
Contact dermatitis is not the only health risk associated with wearing an ace bandage around your belly. The wrapped area which becomes covered in sweat becomes an ideal breeding ground for fungi and many different types of bacteria. These infections can spread to other areas of your body. If you have damaged skin in that area these bacteria can slip under your skin and cause deep tissue infections. Wearing a wrap over too much of your body or for too long may lead to dehydration.
Weight Loss
The only proven healthy weight loss measures are diet and exercise. This combination will increase the amount of calories your burn off and decrease the amount of calories you eat without exposing you to unnecessary health risks. Before starting any exercise or diet program consult your physician.
References
- "Exercise and Health"; T. A. Asmangulyan; 1997
- "Preventive and Social Medicine"; K. Park, J. E. Park; 1995
- MayoClinic.com:Contact Dermatitis; 2009
- "Physiology 5th Edition"; Mathew N. Levy, Robert Bern, Bruce Koeppen and Bruce Stanton; 2004
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