You've probably seen advertisements about how to rid of unwanted belly fat. Belly fat has gotten a bad rap for good reason. While generally perceived as unattractive, it can also be harmful to your health. The older you get, the more likely you are to develop belly fat. Belly fat is an equal opportunity irritant, affecting men and woman alike.
Causes
The combination of a slowing metabolism and less exercise that often comes with age can lead to an expanding waistline. Hormones can also contribute to belly fat. For example, postmenopausal women tend to lose fat in their hips, legs and arms and gain fat around the middle. You also may have simply inherited the tendency to gain weight in the abdominal area.
Concerns
Belly fat can hazardous to your health. The Mayo Clinic says a widening waistline can place you at a greater risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Excess abdominal weight has also been linked to breast and colorectal cancers as well as gallbladder problems.
Measuring Your Waist
A tape measure will give you an accurate appraisal of the status of your waistline in relation to the rest of your body. The tape is placed around your unclothed abdomen just above your hipbone. Although it might be tempting, don't suck in your stomach, or you'll be cheating yourself out of a correct reading.
Interpreting Your Measurement
Your waist measurement is an accurate gauge of whether you have an oversupply of belly fat. The National Institutes of Health says in men, health risks go up with a waist greater than 40 inches. Women should aim for 35 inches or less.
Prevention/Solution
Regular exercise and weight loss are crucial to getting rid of belly fat. You can help lose unwanted belly fat but cutting back on portion sizes, reading nutrition labels and staying away from saturated fats (fatty beef, cream, butter, cheese). Make a point of eating more fruits and vegetables and fewer simple carbohydrates (candy, refined pasta, table sugar, soda). Also, aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise (walking, biking, swimming) at least five days per weeks.
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