The belly tends to grow as you get older due to changes in the volume of stored fat, according to The Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide. Obesity puts you at risk for chronic health problems no matter where the fat parks on your body. As your stomach fat increases, however, you might notice that breathing requires a little bit more work. If you are short of breath or feel congested, you should see your doctor for evaluation.
Visceral Fat
The body stores two forms of fat: visceral and subcutaneous. Visceral fat is the padding that protects body cavities and organs, and is buried deep under the skin. Subcutaneous fat is the loose cellulite that sits closer to the skin surface. The abdomen is a large cavity and capable of holding a lot of visceral fat. When you develop excess flab around your waist, much of it will be visceral as the cavity overfills. In the stomach, visceral fat takes up space and that can interfere with your breathing.
Mechanics of Breathing
Breathing is a mechanical process that relies on a number of structures to work efficiently. When you inhale you start a series of actions that changes the air pressure in your chest cavity, so the lungs expand. Part of this formula is a large muscle that sits under the lungs. The diaphragm flattens and retracts to help move air in and out of the chest. When the diaphragm pulls downward, the pressure in the lungs increases, expanding to pull in air. As the muscle retracts, the pressure lowers and the lungs push air out to remove carbon dioxide.
Diaphragm
Put simply, excess belly fat can interfere with the diaphragm. It is a matter of space. If you place your hand just under your rib cage and inhale, you will feel the diaphragm in action. It pulls downward when you take a deep breath and returns to the starting position when you exhale. Extra visceral fat fills the space and restricts the diaphragm's movement. It is possible to pull the muscle down even with excess fat, but it takes more effort. This is why some individuals find breathing, and especially deep breathing, labored as the belly grows. Pregnancy offers the same challenge as the fetus gets larger and takes up space.
Obesity
Obesity is defined as excess body fat and it is on the rise, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. The mechanical problems of the diaphragm is just one issue that you might face if you are obese. Being overweight is linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sleep apnea and pulmonary embolism, and might aggravate asthma. Excess visceral fat can increase your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. It is essential that you let your doctor determine why you are short of breath, whether or not you have belly fat.
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